On the 15th day of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar, typically falling in November in the Gregorian calendar, Thailand celebrates the Loy Krathong Festival. To introduce and allow new immigrant families to experience Thailand's diverse culture, the Northern Regional Affairs Brigade of the Immigration Agency’s Taoyuan Service Station recently organized a family education and legal awareness course. The event invited Lin Siu-Wen, a recipient of the Taoyuan Outstanding New Immigrant Model Award, to share her journey in Taiwan and teach participants how to make floating lanterns. Attendees also experienced wearing traditional Thai costumes to celebrate this significant Thai festival.
Originally from Thailand, Lin Siu-Wen worked in Taiwan as a migrant worker, facing language barriers. After becoming a Taiwanese daughter-in-law, she attended elementary and junior high schools for adults to improve her confidence and skills. Now, she works as a Thai interpreter at the Taoyuan Migrant Worker Service Center, providing assistance to migrant workers to help them quickly integrate into Taiwanese society. Drawing from her own experience, Lin encouraged the new immigrant participants to adopt a "lifelong learning" mindset and take advantage of government-provided courses to enhance their abilities and adapt to life in Taiwan.
Ms. Lin Xiu Wen shares her experience of coming to Taiwan (Photo:NIA Website)
Lin, who is passionate about promoting Thai culture, explained that on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, when the moon is full, people gather by rivers and ponds, holding colorful and beautifully decorated floating lanterns to pray devoutly before releasing them into the water. This act symbolizes gratitude to the water deity, cleansing past mistakes, and wishing for a smooth year ahead. The course also included DIY floating lantern making and a Thai traditional costume experience, giving participants a rich taste of Thai culture. The event aimed to enhance multicultural awareness and instill the values of "respecting diversity and appreciating differences."
Ms. Lin Xiu Wen teaches participants to make Thai water lanterns (Photo:NIA Website)
