A manora dance performance during the festival.
MALAYSIAN Siamese from all over the country as well as people from various cultural backgrounds came together for the first ever Loy Krathong Festival at Juru Auto-City in Perai, Penang.
Held to mark the annual Thai cultural event, the three-day festival was organised by the Association of Siamese Bumiputera Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (GUSM) in Penang.
GUSM president Richard Ikim said the event was a unique celebration as it introduced Thai culture to other communities in the country.
“The Loy Krathong Festival is not merely a celebration of the Siamese community but a symbol of the cultural appreciation of the community in Malaysia.
“It also provides a chance for all Malaysians to display our unique culture while promoting the country’s tourism and economic sectors,” he said in his welcome speech at the event.
Ikim hoped the festival would strengthen unity among the nation’s various ethnicities and cultures.
GUSM, he said also hoped for the festival to be included in future tourism calendars in Penang and nationwide.
“May this festival continue to be a platform for promoting harmony in diversity while driving progress and shared prosperity,” he said.
(From left) Ewe, Ikim and Bau Wong preparing to release krathong floats. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Sidam assemblyman Bau Wong Bau Ek, who was a guest of honour, praised GUSM for organising the event.
He pointed out how the festival empowered the Siamese community while celebrating Malaysia’s diversity.
“This is also the best platform for Malaysians to strengthen unity by embracing and respecting each other regardless of ethnicity or religion,” Bau Wong said in his speech during the launch.
Present during the launch were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s special officer Ewe Chee Way, Tourism and Culture Ministry officer Noor Ismahanim Ismail and Thailand-Southeast Asia Halal Trade and Tourism Association president Aida Oujeh.
Despite the rain, people converged on the venue to celebrate.
In Thai, “loy” means “to float” while “krathong” refers to a lotus-shaped vessel.
Traditionally, these floats were made from banana trunks but are nowadays fashioned from polystyrene and coloured paper.
The release of the krathong floats by devotees marked the end of the festival.
Lee and daughter Rowanne with the floating lotus they chose.
Held during the full moon of the 12th lunar month of the Thai calendar, the celebration thanks the water goddess Phra Mae Khongkha for the water used in daily life.
At the festival, some 100 booths by 80 participating traders showcased a variety of Thai-themed food, handicrafts and toys.
Culinary delights sold included pad thai, stir-fried rice noodles, mango sticky rice pudding and a variety of desserts.
For the convenience of patrons, halal and non-halal dishes were sold in different areas.
Among the handicraft booths were those displaying krathong floats for sale.
Other booths rented out traditional Siamese attire to visitors.
The event also featured cultural performances from the Thai and other communities.
(From left) Amanda, Nanphasorn and Catthyra placing the krathong floats in an artificial waterway near Sungai Juru.
A festival highlight was the first Miss Loy Krathong pageant.
The crown went to Amanda Khunpithak Wee Wek, 20, while runners-up were Nanphasorn Kasikidpongpant, 19, and Catthyra Priya, 23.
Amanda, who hails from Kedah, also won the subsidiary title of Miss Popularity.
The three pageant winners then accompanied VIP guests to release the krathong floats towards Sungai Juru.
Among the thousands of festival patrons were factory technician Shanti Deve, 45, and her husband T. Shanker, 53.
Shanti was surprised to see so many Siamese people who came from other states such as Pahang and Johor.
“I had thought the Siamese community were only in Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan.
Shankar and Shanti enjoying their Thai food.
“So, I was quite surprised,” she said, adding that she was impressed with the cultural performances.
Shanti pointed out that the event was a good platform for Malaysians to get to know other cultures, especially that of a minority group like the Siamese.
She said the festival could have been better had it not been raining.
Businesswoman Shakirah Bakar, 42, shared her joy in having brought her children along to the festival.
They were immersed in the vibrant atmosphere and indulged in a wide array of the food on offer.
“I loved the pad thai and Thai green tea.
“It’s just like what we enjoyed a few days ago during our visit to Thailand,” she said.
Shakira suggested that similar cultural festivals be held more frequently to encourage families to explore and appreciate diverse traditions.
Shakira (red scarf) and her family showing the food and drinks bought at the festival.
“It’s a great way to bond with my children while introducing them to the beauty of other cultures,” she added.
Lee Lai Yee, 34, and her seven-year-old daughter Khor Rowanne eagerly joined the festivities.
After having carefully selected a beautifully decorated krathong to float on the water, she helped her daughter to release it.
“This is our first time doing this. I wanted to do so to teach my daughter to respect other religions and traditions.”
