In the central parts of Thailand, the Loy Krathong Festival is regarded an important annual festival of thanksgiving. To celebrate the occasion, the NPUST Thai Student Association held a 2023 Thailand Loy Krathong Festival activity, beginning at 17:00 pm on November 22nd at the square in front of the Shuyun Hall. NPUST Vice-President Wen-Ling Shih, International College Dean J.C. Leong, OIA Vice-Dean Yuh Tzean, Development Director Hsing Chieh Wu, Professor Chiu-Hsia Chiu, Professor Shyang-Chwen Sheu and Thai Student Association President Phitchayapha Khongdee jointly kicked off the exciting event. Overseas students from India, the Philippines, Vietnam, St. Lucia, Nicaragua, Nepal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini, Pakistan, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries were also present to participate in the activities and experience some of Thailand’s traditional culture.
NPUST Vice-President Wen-Ling Shih made some remarks, saying “thank you to the Thai Student Association for carefully arranging the 2023 Thai Loy Krathong Festival activities, and thank you all for your enthusiastic participation. I wish everyone a successful event tonight, that school affairs will be bright, and that all the students at NPUST will be safe and healthy.” International College Dean J.C. Leong also shared with everyone saying “after participating in the Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand one year, I really thought that, as a multicultural school in-line with international standards, how could NPUST not introduce this festival to the campus? So now, the Thai Student Association specially organized this 2023 Thai Loy Krathong Festival event, allowing Taiwanese students to understand the history of the Thai Loy Krathong Festival and Thai culture, while also enhancing interaction between Taiwanese and international students.”
One of the customs of the Loy Krathong Festival is to combine small vessels made of leaves or flowers with ceremonial lamps, which are placed on the water on the day of the festival to pay tribute to the river goddess, Khongkha, or to express respect to Buddha. The festival is held on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month every year. Floating the lantern down the river is meant to take away bad luck, as prayers are offered to the river goddess for peace and success in the new year. Traditional Thai water lanterns are made banana leaves woven into a lotus shape, and decorated with candles, flowers, and other adornments. In northern Thailand, people also release sky lanterns during the Loy Krathong Festival as part of their custom.
Currently there are 17 Thai students (including short-term exchange students) at NPUST. Through the 2023 Thai Loy Krathong Festival activities, Taiwanese and overseas students were able to experience the traditional Thai festivals together. With traditional food sharing, a DIY Krathong making competition, traditional dance, games, and raffles, the event which was held on the eve of NPUST’s 99th Anniversary was rich and memorable. And as the diverse group celebrated the Thai festival together—full of cultural charm, gratitude and warmth—a clear representation of the school’s internationalization, flourishing development, and successful school affairs could be seen.
