Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHX2–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Fruit carving is a significant part of Thai cultural heritage. Watermelon carving dates to the 14th century in Thailand during the Sukhothai dynasty. The annual Loi Krathong Festival occurs each November where people in Thailand float lamps and lanterns down a river to honor water spirits. One legend is that one of the king’s maids decorated her lantern with a watermelon carved with flower designs to impress him and that he was so pleased that he encouraged all Thai women to adopt the practice.
RM2B038PP–Fruit carving is a significant part of Thai cultural heritage. Watermelon carving dates to the 14th century in Thailand during the Sukhothai dynasty. The annual Loi Krathong Festival occurs each November where people in Thailand float lamps and lanterns down a river to honor water spirits. One legend is that one of the king’s maids decorated her lantern with a watermelon carved with flower designs to impress him and that he was so pleased that he encouraged all Thai women to adopt the practice.
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHXF–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHXD–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHXE–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHWT–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHXC–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHWX–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHXG–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHWW–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHXN–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News
RMH8KHXP–Chiang Mai, Thailand. 14th November 2016. Monks celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phan Tao Temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand with candles and sky lanterns in a sombre and moving ceremony which reflects the mourning for King Bhumibol. All the Loy Krathong festivities were reduced in Chiang Mai and across Thailand as a mark for respect, focusing more on the religious aspects of the festival. Credit: Paul Brown/Alamy Live News