Residents and tourists in Ban Tha Rae typically join the procession and lend a surreal aura to the proceedings by holding lit star lanterns aloft. The parade starts at the town’s Catholic church and then follows a route through streets specially decorated for the occasion.
12GO ASIA explains that Ban Tha Rae is home to a Christian community who celebrate their religious beliefs with this colourful Christmas spectacle. When the town first started holding the parade in 1982, it involved a fairly arduous bus trip to get here.
Modern transport choices offer convenience and probably the easiest access point is via Sakhon Nakhon Airport. Thai AirAsia and Nok Air both fly from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport to Sakhon Nakhon. With several flights a day, travellers can usually find one to suit their particular schedules.
Our image of the Ban Tha Rae Christmas Star Pageant was supplied by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Sakhon Nakhon to stage Christmas Day parade
News in Asia
Residents of an eastern Thai town are gearing up for their annual Christmas Day parade. The Christmas Star Pageant is scheduled to start at 18:00 today and, if previous years are a benchmark, will feature around 200 ornately decorated floats.