Loy Krathong: Water Festival in Thailand
Loy Krathong is a
festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand. It is held on the full
moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the
western calendar this usually falls in November.
“Loy” means “to float”. “Krathong”
is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a
section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions use specially
made bread ‘flowers’ and may use styrofoam), decorated with
elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc.
In the evening, many people will go to
their local klong (canal) or river to float their krathongs. They
believe this will bring them good luck. By the end of the evening, there
are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water.
Quite often there are also firework displays as well as shows and beauty
contests for everyone. Overall it is really a memorable evening.
Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai has the
added feature of a parallel festival called Yi Peng. Yi Peng is
celebrated by launching hot air balloons made of rice paper into the
night sky. The night sky is literally filled with thousands of these
bright lights shining like a moving river of stars. It’s a truly
magical sight that can’t really be captured in a picture.
Loi Kratong in Chiang Mai has become so
popular that the hotels around the city are fully booked a month or
more in advance. If you want to celebrate the festival in Chiang Mai,
plan ahead and book your hotel well in advance. Note that Loi Kratong
is celebrated on a full moon night, so the date will change from year
to year.
Tak similarly celebrates the festival
of “Loy Krathong Sai” that is reflected through a long line of Krathong
made of coconut shells lit with candles as well as threaded together
as a string of floating lights on the Ping River. When lit Krathong are
floated onto the right current typically one after another they would
wander along and make a breathtaking and twinkling curving line or
“Sai” in Thai amidst the darkness of the night. This represents the
accord and oneness of local people when they assemble on the river
banks where they sing and dance with utmost bliss. Tourists will also
have a mesmerizing occasion to relish the atmosphere of Krathong Sai
contest and water curtain presentation relating to “The Legent of
Krathong Sai”
In “the City of Angels”, the banks of
the glorious Chao Phraya River are the prime location to celebrate the
festival. So as to revive an old custom of the ancient capital, Loy
Krathong is arranged to preserve the royal ritual of the early
Rattanakosin period in which several types of traditional Krathong were
set afloat onto the Chao Phraya River and its waterways. Many
riverside hotels and restautants also hold special celebrations for
their guests. For a more stunning night of Loy Krathong in Bangkok,
meticulous tourists are earnestly invited to partake in this yearly
festival and join the crowds along the Chao Phraya River, the
Rattanakosin Island, the Santichaiprakarn Park, the Rama VIII Bridge,
the Taksin Bridge and the Krungthon Bridge.
Thai people from all walks of life are
gathering on the nearest river with their hands holding a fine-looking
banana leaf cup. The rivers and waterways are illuminated with
glittering lights whilst the historical remains and commercial buildings
along the banks of the majestic Chao Phraya River are adorned with
electric decorations. The joyful festivities like firework displays,
traditional performances as well as sound presentations are just around
the corner. These are the common scenes awaiting you on the coloful
night of Loy Krathong.
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