Boats were decorated with hundreds of candle lights and flowers to illuminate Buddhist figures during a festival.

The stunning boats were lit at night in Nakhon Phanom province, northeastern Thailand on September 30 for the annual Lai Reua Fai, marking the end of Buddhist lent.

Locals from different regions designed the boats for the festival competition, with the winner to be announced at the end of the celebration on October 3.

The boats were made to float on the Mekong river which borders neighbouring country Laos.

Spectators arrived with their families and friends to enjoy food from street vendors and try different attractions.

Small boats made of banana leaves were also sold on the sidewalks. Superstitious locals believe that if you put a strand of hair or clipped nail in the boat and let it flow in the river, bad luck washes away with it.

The festival is held as a closing celebration of Buddhist lent.