The Oriental Hotel offers the priciest dinner on Sunday night, when the traditional floating festival takes place. The Riverside Terrace will feature the sound of a live Angaloong band and waiters and waitresses in Lanna costume.

Adult diners will pay Bt4,800 net and children Bt3,300. At Lord Jim's, amid classical Thai dance and a marvellous view of the river and spectacular fireworks, dinners cost Bt3,800. Normandie will also offer a classical Thai dance performance, although The Oriental did not provide prices.

The Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok's Riverfront Poolside features entertainment by "Lanna Cummins", a Miss Noppamas Contest, a Krathong Contest, Thai classical and folk dances together with gala buffet dinner and a krathong for each guest. The price is Bt4,700 net for adults and Bt3,200 for children.

At Horizon Cruise, a dinner and front-row seats for the fireworks display cost Bt4,700 for adults and Bt3,000 for children.

Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa's festival will take place on November 4. The hotel's buffet will feature food from the four regions of Thailand, Thai entertainment shows and a fireworks display to end the night with a bang. The hotel charges Bt1,200 per person.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the private sector are organising the festival on the full-moon night in many provinces.

This year, the TAT will join with the Educational Institution and the Thai Boat Association to present an Electric Float Procession in Bangkok from Taksin Bridge to Krungthon Bridge, featuring 12 illuminated buildings and historical sites along the Chao Phya.

The agency will highlight the event at Sukhothai Historical Park with a krathong procession of 17 northern provinces, fireworks show and a Miss Noppamas Contest.

In Chiang Mai, the Yi Peng Festival will be held at Tha Phae Gate and on the banks of the Ping River, while Ayutthaya will present a Miss Noppamas Contest, light-and-sound and multimedia shows, among other activities.

Suchat Sritama

 The Nation