Chiang Mai commemorates Japan’s tsunami tragedy

Japanese and Thais in Chiang Mai province held the Tenkawa memorial event to remember those who lost their lives during the twin disasters that hit Japan on March 11 last year. Tenkawa means the Milky Way.



A thousand lanterns were released in the night sky to represent the Milky Way (Tenkawa means the Milky Way). The Lanna people, who are Chiang Mai’s predecessors, believe that the ceremony would lead the souls to heaven.



Buddhist prayers and merit making ceremonies were also held, during which participants made donations to the disaster victims. Other activities organized by both Thai and Japanese included mini-concerts, food stalls, a Japanese drum performance, dance shows, and plays.  The March 11 magnitude 9.0 earthquake last year unleashed a wall of water that hit Japan's north-eastern coast, killing nearly 16,000 and leaving nearly 3,300 unaccounted for. (NNT)