Thais give digital spin to ancient 'floating basket' festival

A woman carrying a "Krathong" or floating basket to release into the Chao Phraya river during the annual Loy Krathong festival celebrations in Bangkok. The Loy Krathong festival, celebrated in Thailand by releasing decorative baskets into rivers and ponds, was given an environmentally sustainable twist in the Thai capital on November 27 as clean-up workers removed the floats from waterways and digital projections sought to replace the still-popular traditional physical offerings. - AFP

BANGKOK (Reuters): Thai children crafted virtual rafts and sent them floating down digital rivers, in an environmentally friendly version of an ancient festival.

Over the centuries, people have sent 'krathongs' - small, baskets made from plants and loaded with flowers, candles and bamboo - down waterways to make wishes and pay their respects to water spirits.