Surprising Things You’d Only See in Thailand

When darkness falls over Nakhon Phanom, enormous glowing boats can appear to float across the Mekong like moving walls of light. The Lai Ruea Fai tradition decorates vessels with elaborate illuminated designs, transforming the river into one of Thailand’s most dramatic nighttime festival scenes.

The celebration combines Buddhist faith with longstanding local traditions. Recent versions have added modern lighting and elaborate designs while preserving the religious meaning behind the procession. For several nights, the Mekong stops looking like an ordinary river and starts resembling a giant floating light show.