Thailand welcomes int'l tourists during Loy Krathong Festival

HAT YAI, THAILAND, November 25 (TNA) - Like all other Thai areas, Hat Yai in Songkhla Province in the Thai South is welcoming international tourists during the ongoing Loy Krathong Festival, while National Police Chief Police General Chakthip Chaijinda has ordered police to secure Loy Krathong venues nationwide to maintain order. Several areas in Hat Yai, Thailand's southern business hub, have prepared for Loy Kratong activities on Wednesday night, while more than 90 per cent of local hotel rooms have been reserved, mostly by foreign visitors. Foreign tourists, particularly those from Malaysia and Singapore, have continued arriving in Hat Yai since earlier in the day to enjoy the Loy Kratong Festival there. Activities for this year's Loy Kratong celebrations in Hat Yai are organised near the See San Sam Chai Market, where about one killometre of the Klong Song Road are closed off to allow international visitors to participate in the annual tradition festivity, covering a young Noppamas beauty pageant and a kratong procession, from afternoon till night time. Meanwhile, the national police chief has instructed police to secure Loy Krathong venues nationwide to prevent crime and to provide safety for people. Deputy National Police Chief Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen delivered the order at a teleconference with chiefs of metropolitan and regional police earlier in the day. Police also seriously ban sky lanterns near airports, while in Bangkok six areas near airports and Siriraj Hospital are also strictly banned from sky lanterns from 6pm on November 25 to 5am on November 26. The national police chief also bans sales of alcoholic drinks at public parks and Loy Krathong venues. Besides, people are advised to carefully release fireworks and take good care of their children while releasing fireworks to prevent fire. (TNA)