Bangkok, 22 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Ubon Ratchathani Province and partners across the public and private sectors, is elevating the 125th-anniversary edition of the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession to a Signature Thailand Event. Held from 25–31 July at Thung Si Mueang, with the main programme taking place from 28–30 July, the festival preserves its time-honoured traditions while introducing new presentation and participatory elements to expand its international appeal.

Rooted in the Buddhist Lent tradition of candle offering, the procession has evolved into a major expression of faith, craftsmanship and local identity. Its longevity reflects the collective contribution of temple communities, candle masters, educational institutions, residents, government agencies and other stakeholders committed to preserving and passing on specialised skills.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession has earned its standing through the faith, craftsmanship and collective effort behind it. TAT is giving this living heritage a stronger platform by pairing its cultural foundations with contemporary presentation and meaningful participation. This will broaden international awareness, encourage longer stays and channel greater tourism value to local communities, artisans and businesses.”

The Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession is one of three homegrown traditions TAT is elevating as Signature Thailand Events, alongside the Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession and the Christmas Star Parade in Sakon Nakhon. Together, they support TAT’s strategy to bring distinctive regional celebrations to wider international audiences and strengthen Thailand’s cultural soft power.

As part of this approach, TAT is spotlighting the main venue at Thung Si Mueang from 25–31 July through lighting installations designed to create a more distinctive setting. On 29 and 30 July, TAT will stage four light-and-sound performances each evening, combining tradition with contemporary storytelling rooted in Ubon Ratchathani’s heritage.

Two large-scale three-dimensional sculptures of ‘Nong Mamuang’, a popular Thai cartoon character, will form an illuminated landmark at Lan Thian Chaloem Phra Kiat, from 23 July–13 August. Reimagined in contemporary Thai dress, one reclines while the other strikes a classical Thai dance pose. The installations combine traditional motifs with modern pop culture, reflecting the province’s identity as the “City of Beautiful Lotuses”.

TAT’s ART SPACE, open from 25–30 July, will offer hands-on activities based on local knowledge and craftsmanship, including candle carving, wax-flower making and gold-leaf decoration, encouraging visitors to engage with local crafts.

The main events take place from 28–30 July, beginning with the Candle Gathering on 28 July. A total of 47 elaborate pieces — one showcase candle and 46 competition entries — will represent Ubon Ratchathani’s three principal candle-making categories: traditional, moulded-wax and carved-wax.

On 29 July, the royally bestowed Buddhist Lent candle and monastic bathing cloth will be taken in procession from 08.29, followed by a candle parade, dance troupes, and folk cultural performances. The official opening on 30 July will also begin at 08.29, followed by another candle parade, dance troupes and the Phanom Phra boat procession from Surat Thani.

Across both days, more than 37 dance troupes involving temple communities and educational institutions throughout the province will take part. More than 5,000 complimentary seats will be available at five viewing points: Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram, Lan Khwan Mueang, U Hotel, Siam Commercial Bank and Bangchak service station.

Evening highlights on 29 July include the “Amazing Light of Isan: Stunned” light-and-sound production and illuminated candle displays, beginning at 19.00 at Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram and Lan Khwan Mueang. On 30 July, candle competition awards will be presented at 17.30, followed at 19.00 by a light-and-sound programme featuring a candle procession at both venues.

Award-winning candles will remain on display from 31 July–1 August at Thung Si Mueang and the City Pillar Shrine.

The wider programme includes visits to nine temple communities from 13–27 July, where visitors can learn about wax decoration. From 27 July–1 August, the “Candle Road of Dharma” event at the cultural plaza near Ubon Ratchathani City Pillar Shrine will feature candle making alongside local and One Tambon One Product markets.

Additional highlights include the “Stories of Ubon Ratchathani” light-and-sound performance at Lan Thian Chaloem Phra Kiat, on 31 July and 1 August at 18.00; the “Ganesha Barami UNSEEN” illuminated candle-flower field at Ubon Ratchathani Zoo from 25–31 July, from 16.30–20.00, with daytime viewing from 25–30 August, from 09.00–16.30; and “Ubon Candles on View Throughout the Month” at Wat Phra That Nong Bua from 3–17 August.

For further information, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or LINE @tatcontactcenter; follow the Thailand Festival and TAT Contact Center Facebook pages, or @1672travelbuddy on Instagram, TikTok, LINE and X; or visit www.tourismthailand.org and www.1672travelbuddy.com.

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Thailand's air conditioner and component exports to Europe surged 40.7% in May 2025, reaching $148.6 million—the highest in seven months—driven by an unusually severe and early heat wave across the continent. Nanthapong Jiralertpongse, director of the Office of Trade and Commercial Strategy at the Commerce Ministry, revealed that the spike reflects strong demand as European importers and retailers rushed to stock inventory ahead of the summer peak. Over the first five months of 2025, total air conditioner exports to Europe reached $783.9 million (approximately 250 billion baht), up 18.9%, with heat pump systems growing 70.6%, air conditioner components expanding 49.6%, and window-mounted models rising 21.6%.

Germany leads as the top export market with $30.8 million in exports, up 89.6%, followed by France (up 50.9%), the United Kingdom (up 58.2%), and Spain (up 42.2%). Northern European markets are showing even stronger gains, with Finland expanding 366.6% and Sweden jumping 177.3%, reflecting structural market shifts where only about 20% of European households currently own air conditioners, well below the global household average of 37% in 2022.

Looking ahead, demand for air conditioners in Europe is expected to remain strong through the third quarter as the continent faces a fresh, more intense heat wave beginning late June, with temperatures in many countries approaching 40°C. The World Meteorological Organization forecasts above-normal temperatures across Europe from July through September 2025, particularly in Southern and Central Europe, driven by intensifying El Niño conditions. However, growth in the European market remains subject to strict environmental policy conditions, prompting Thai manufacturers to focus on energy-efficient, high-performance air conditioners and heat pump systems that align with EU energy and carbon-reduction policies while closely monitoring increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Luang Pu Chuam, the revered monk known as the "Deity of the Chao Phraya Source," has died peacefully at age 97 after 76 years in the monkhood. His disciples announced his passing on July 22, 2026, through a Facebook post expressing their grief at the loss of their beloved teacher. Originally named Chuam Sangkhadet, born April 29, 1929, in Takienlueun subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan, he was ordained on July 5, 1949, at Takienlueun Temple. He was promoted to the rank of Phra Ratchakhana in May 2022 and received the ecclesiastical name Phra Ratchamongkol Wachirasat. Luang Pu Chuam was among the highest-ranking monks of the Pak Nam Po area and a direct disciple of Luang Pu Phu of Takienlueun Temple. He gained widespread fame for amulets believed to provide protection and safe passage, with devotees sharing stories of safety during accidents, including a naval officer from his hometown who wore his amulet during the HTMS Sukhothai incident. Though his amulets became highly sought after, he limited their production to avoid commercializing the practice. He spent his final days at Sri Sawat Hospital before passing away peacefully on July 22, 2026, at approximately 6 a.m.

Swiss man sexually assaults 14 year old Thai boy off Patong Beach in PhuketLegacyPolice arrested a Swiss man in Phuket yesterday, July 21, after he sexually assaulted a 14 year old Thai boy in the sea off Patong Beach. The boy’s mother sought assistance from the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women on July 18 after reporting the child sex abuse to Patong Police Station. The mother told the foundation that he incident occurred on July 10. She was concerned for her son’s safety because the accused allegedly knew where the family lived. She feared he might attempt to contact the boy again if the investigation was delayed. Paveena Hongsakul, founder of the foundation, accompanied the boy and his mother to Patong Police Station on July 20 to follow up on the investigation. Police later arrested the suspect the following day and identified him as a Swiss national but have not released his name. Photo via Kao Jor Leuk According to the boy’s account, he had accompanied his mother to her workplace in the Patong area before spending time on Patong Beach alone while his mother was working. The boy alleged that the Swiss man approached him, started a conversation and asked to take a selfie together. The foreigner then exchanged contact details with the boy and asked about his home address before inviting him to go swimming. According to the complaint, the foreign man offered to teach the boy how to swim but instead sexually assaulted him in the sea. The boy told investigators he was too frightened to resist or call for help. The mother said she noticed her son appeared distressed after returning home and later learned about the assault after speaking with him. Photo via Amarin TV She also told investigators that the accused continued contacting her son through the LINE messaging application, asking to meet him again. The conversations were provided to police as evidence. Police told Channel 7 that investigators recovered photographs and other information related to the case from the Swiss man’s laptop and mobile phone. Authorities have not disclosed further details as the investigation continues. The foreign suspect has been taken to Phuket Provincial Court for temporary detention while police continue gathering evidence. Investigators said they intend to present additional evidence to oppose any request for temporary release. The story Swiss man sexually assaults 14 year old Thai boy off Patong Beach in Phuket as seen on Thaiger News.

PHUKET: Phuket authorities are stepping up efforts to improve the quality of life for the province’s 7,288 registered people with disabilities, with a renewed focus on employment, welfare, access to funding and equal opportunities.