Let there be light

Winter illuminations around Christmas and New Year have long been popular across Japan and now Bangkok is getting in on the act with the launch of the Thailand Illumination Festival 2017 on Ratchadaphisek Road. 
“The concept of Thailand Illumination Festival 2017 draws on the Luminous Garden Lighting Festival in Japan, which is held in almost all cities across the country every winter, each with a distinctive display and style. The lights are a definite tourist attraction and never fail to impress both local and international tourists. Amusement parks and shopping malls as well as the city streets are all lit up too. The festival has become one of Japan’s winter traditions,” says Yuiji Matsuyama, president of Apollo (Thailand), manufacturer and distributor of Idemaitsu and Daphne lubricants and the organiser of the lighting extravaganza. 

 

“Our aim is organising this festival in Bangkok is to create a new attraction in the heart of the city to help promote the tourism industry in Thailand. This is the key to stimulating the Thai economy. It is also intended as a social activity that fosters a sense of sharing among our staff and the public, as well as giving everyone an opportunity to make merit through donating to charity. In addition to proceeds from sales of food, fun games will also raise funds for a number of important foundations. We were only able to make this event a reality due to the efforts and willingness on the part of Apollo Oil to express in a practical way our concern for the community and to benefit society,” he adds.
Thailand Illumination Festival 2017 features elaborate and colourful light displays made of millions of LEDs spread over 39 rai of land opposite Esplanade shopping centre in the centre of the area’s exciting night life venues. 
Getting there is easy and convenient with the MRT Thailand Cultural Centre station just a short walk away from the action.
The entrance to the festival boasts a beautifully crafted sign with the festival’s Thai name, “Silp Saeng Haeng Raeng Bandal Jai”, meaning “Inspirational Illumination.”

 

On the other side of the gate, an exhibition presenting Apollo Oil's CSR events is adjacent to a copy of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol’s speech about doing good for the benefit of others through public health, education, helping the underprivileged, nature conservation and sports. 
A little further into the festival are five game booths. One invites you to throws darts at balloons or a board, another to throw balls in cans and yet another to toss rings. Players are rewarded but the prizes go not to them but to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, Baan Fuengfah Home for Disabled Babies, Pakkred Babies Home, Rachawadee for Girls, and Baan Nontapum, a Home for Children with Disabilities.
And the festival is not only a showcase of dazzling illuminations. It also commemorates His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and honours His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun with an exhibition titled “Nai Luang Nai Duangjai” featuring the portraits of King Rama IX and King Rama X as well as their actions for the Thai people. 

 

The exhibition “The King of Our Heart” is a must-visit and pays tribute to the late King through a garden of light sculptures presenting the late King’s personal belongings and a fabulous light and sound display with the late King’s compositions such as “Blue Day”, “Echo”, “Near Dawn”, “Alexandra” and “Still on My Mind”. It runs for 12 minutes and gets underway nightly at 7.
The centre of the festival is a sea of blue lights. Visitors stroll through a tunnel of lights made of millions of blue, yellow and red LEDs, the perfect background for that must-have selfie. 
You emerge from the tunnel into a kaleidoscopic garden of lights boasting illuminated rabbits, chickens, houses, trees and spheres as well as fountains as well as lifesize animals of the 12 zodiac signs. Even the trees have LED branches. 

 

And just as it should be with any festival, part of the space is dedicated to an open-air eating area manned by 30 leading street food stalls selling pork satay, bone soup, noodle soup, grilled pork and beef, maw soup, meatballs, Isaan food and Japanese delicacies. Part of the proceeds from food sales will go to the Chaipattana and Siriraj foundations. There’s music to, courtesy for a band from Mahidol University.
On December 31, this spectacular illuminated garden will play host to the “Apollo Thai Countdown 2018” with mini-concerts by Chanakan “Atom” Rattanaudom, Jennifer Kim, and the Sincharoen Brothers.

Shining in the night

- “Thailand Illumination Festival 2017” takes place nightly through January 6.

- Admission is free. 

- It runs from 6 to 10 Monday to Thursday and until 11 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

- Visitors can leave their cars at the MRT Park and Ride building, Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchada Soi 6 and the Park and Ride building of Lat Phrao MRT. 

- Find out more and join the conversation at Facebook.com/ThailandIlluminationFestival2017