Festival Parades

The people of the north excel at putting on parades, which are the main feature of many festivals and can last for several hours. Leading institutions sponsor a section of the procession. School marching bands (an art form for which several local schools have gained prizes in international competitions) and bands playing gongs, drums and cymbals lead men and women in traditional costumes.

The highlight of each section is a gorgeously decorated float with beautiful maidens. Prizes are offered for the best entries in the parade, and much effort goes into them. Good parades to see are at the Bo Sang umbrella festival, the flower festival, Songkran, and at Loi Kratong.