1.
GV Main boat of procession carrying buddha image
0.06

2.
GV Spectators on river banks holding lotus flowers and CU of lotus (2 shots)
0.13

3.
GV People throwing lotus flowers onto boat
0.27

4.
GV People throwing lotus flowers (2 shots)
0.37

5.
GV's Girls on boats in procession, spectators throw lotus flowers (5 shots)
1.05

6.
Gv Two boats with fighting elephant images and jousting riders
1.17

7.
GV's beauty contestants sitting down, and one parades (4 shots)
1.30

8.
GV Private Boats congest river
1.33

9.
SV River police in boats controlling water traffic (2 shots)
1.36

10.
SV Beauty contest winner with prize
1.46

11.
GV Beauty contest finalists taken on boat (2 shots)
1.57



Initials EP/2200



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: It is lotus blossom time in Thailand and this week (26 October) more than 10,000 people of the Bangpli district near Bangkok turned out to offer lotus flowers to Buddha. The annual offering takes the form of a special carnival, the Yon Bua festival. The Bangpli festival is usually the biggest of many such hold throughout Thailand.

SYNOPSIS: The main boat leading the procession through bangpli carries an image of Buddha. As it passes, spectators offer a short prayer before throwing their lotus blossoms. Legend has it that three ancient Buddha images once came down the river that passes through bangpli district. Two of the images surfaced at other villages, but the largest was supposed to have popped up at bangpli.

The townspeople felt they had been honoured, and, since then, their Yon Bua festival has become a revered tradition.

Thailand is renowned for its beautiful women, and, gathered on some of the procession boats, was a collection of beauties which would draw attention anywhere in the world. The crowd was certainly enthralled, flinging clouds of lotus flower to them. Traditionally, you throw the lotus flower at the one you love, and it means good luck if you have a flower thrown to you.

Men on life-sized model elephants added to the festival fun with their demonstration of the ancient art of elephant fighting.

Entrants in beauty contest were next in the procession... and perhaps they were the attraction which caused congestions on the river.

Many of the spectators afloat were so eager, the river police had a busy time keeping control.

This girl won the beauty contest and later, with other finalists, took part in a special procession, normally, the river means work for these people. They usually fish it and ply their trade along it.. but for this one day it is a sources of joy and beauty.