NAKHON RATCHASIMA — The Korat Candle Festival 2026 is set to return with a blend of Buddhist art, traditional craftsmanship, technology and pop culture, featuring a drone show, Dan Kwian pottery-inspired art and candle sculptures resembling Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and global Thai pop star Lisa.
The festival, themed “Buddhist Art and the Light of Faith,” will take place from July 28-30, 2026, around the Thao Suranari Monument in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima district.
At a press conference on July 22, Nakhon Ratchasima deputy governor Wijit Kijvirat joined Nakhon Ratchasima Mayor Dr Wannarat Chankunakul and representatives from police, tourism, sports and cultural agencies to announce preparations for the annual event.
Organisers said the festival aims to preserve the traditional Buddhist Lent candle parade, promote local candle-carving craftsmanship and boost tourism in the province.
One of this year’s major highlights will be a drone show combining modern technology with Buddhist history. The performance will depict the Buddha delivering his first sermon to the Five Ascetics on Asalha Puja Day through lights in the night sky.
The festival will also incorporate the traditional pottery craftsmanship of Dan Kwian into candle sculptures and Buddhist artworks, creating opportunities for young people and members of the public to learn local techniques and develop them for future candle floats.
Former deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop is scheduled to preside over the opening parade, which will feature at least 13 candle floats.
The festival will also host competitions for Buddhist Lent candle floats for the royal trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in categories A, B and C. A Pong Lang music competition for trophies from the prime minister and deputy prime minister will be held on July 29.
A distinctive feature of the Korat festival is its satirical political candle sculptures. This year, Phimai district has prepared a surprise with a 1.9-metre-tall wax figure resembling Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Candle sculptor Watchara Nadee said the figure depicts Anutin standing and making a hand gesture associated with the government’s “40-60 Thai Chuai Thai Plus” economic stimulus measure.
The figure is intended to add colour, capture current trends and attract more tourists, organisers said.
Phimai district will also hold its own “Join Merit, Join Worship: Phimai Buddhist Lent Candle Parade” on July 28-29 at Phrommathat grounds before its floats move to the provincial event for the main competition.
Among the major contenders is Wat Derm in Phimai, a former champion of the royal trophy in Category A. Its enormous 20-metre-long, 5.15-metre-high and 4-metre-wide float uses around 8 tonnes of wax.
Candle craftsman Kiattisak “Chang Ko” Duangthong said the float has taken three months to create and is now more than 85% complete.
The float will depict the Buddha’s journey to Tavatimsa Heaven. It will also feature the royal emblem of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, at the centre and Indra riding the three-headed Erawan elephant at the rear.
Meanwhile, Wat Burapha Phimon, a Category B contender and the 2025 champion, has prepared a 15-metre-long float using 4 tonnes of wax. The float will depict the Hindu-Buddhist legend of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
Another buzzworthy entry comes from Chok Chai district, where Wat Bing has created a contemporary candle float featuring a wax figure with facial features resembling internationally acclaimed Thai singer Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal.
Village headman Sakchai Khumkrathok said the figure depicts Lisa as an angel, celestial being and mythical Himmapan creature, including a kinnari and a naga.
The design aims to celebrate Lisa’s talent and beauty while attracting people of all ages, genders and nationalities to Thailand’s Buddhist Lent candle tradition.
Wat Bing’s candle float will be displayed at the Chok Chai subdistrict municipal grounds on July 28 before joining the main provincial festival.
The Korat Candle Festival 2026 brings together religious devotion, traditional arts and crafts, modern technology and contemporary creativity, offering visitors a chance to experience one of Thailand’s most colourful Buddhist Lent celebrations while helping boost the local economy.
