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Loy Krathong Festival Thailand
Loi Krathong is probably one of the most meaningful and emotional festivals of all Thai holidays and usually occurs in November.
Various provinces in Thailand have their own localised customs on how to celebrate this ancient festival, but the overriding theme is the same.
What is the Purpose of Loy Krathong
The objective is to float away one's worries and problems - therefore looking forward to a better life in the future.
It is not a selfish thought, for others can also be included in prayers for the easing of problems.
The festival of 'Loy Krathong' is normally associated with waterways events. Why not, for Thailand has plenty of rivers, canals and other expanses of water.
Light and water - or light on water - was always an evocative mixture, even without the benefit of such a beautiful festival as Loy Krathong.
The full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November) is the time when Loy Krathong traditionally takes place. As with all things Thai, this is time for a festival, so why restrict it to one night.
Everything that Thais want to do on the given water space could not possibly take place on only one night. So, it usually extends for several nights or so.
What is a Krathong?
A Krathong is traditionally a floating banana leaf cup, nowadays decorated with all manner of flowers and banana leaves to resemble lotus flowers - intended or not!
The cup is sent on its way along the canal or river, and with it go the worries of the past, and hopes for the future, and usually a prayer to Khongkha or the River Goddess Ganga.
There are several beliefs as to what the true meaning of Loi Krathong is.
For some, it is the worship of the Buddha's footprint on the Namarda River bank. For others, it is to pay respects to one of the Lord Buddha's great disciple - Phra Uppakhut.
For all it is a time of great emotion and letting off of steam and frustrations - but peacefully. This then, is the Loi Krathong Festival.
As a general rule, the province of Tak plays host to the Krathong Sai festival competition for His Majesty the King's Trophy. Most Thai provinces have their own true historic backgrounds and customs.
The Loy Krathong Festival is not about conformity - other than the religious significance. Some notable areas of Loy Krathong indulgence are:
Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai
The Yi Peng Festival takes place on the banks of the Ping River in Chiang Mai, and usually features:
- A hanging lantern procession.
- Best Krathong design competition
- Light and sound on the river Ping.
- A Miss Yi Peng beauty competition (surely impossible to judge).
- Thai Lanna Krathong events.
Bangkok Loi Krathong Festival
As you would expect of the Thai Kingdom's capital city, Bangkok excels in such festive events. The festivities include the Electric Float Procession (Illuminated boats), and Krathong events and launchings all over the capital - wherever there is water.
This year the 'Smiling in Thailand' team covered the Loy Krathong event on the banks of the Chao Phraya River at Santichaiprakan Park on Phra Artit Road, and were enthralled - engulfed - by the emotion of the event.
Tak - Loy Krathong Sai Festival
Other than the launching of individual Krathongs, Tak is host to the 'Krathong Sai' competition.
The Krathongs now made from coconut shells, and competing to take advantage of the vagaries of the river currents to get the Krathong to sail away down river in straight lines.
The prize? His Majesty the King's Trophy. Fireworks, a spectacular water curtain, the longest Krathong Sai and the procession of the Royal Krathong and lanterns.
Loy Krathong in Sukhothai
The most ancient of Thailand's provinces is not to be left behind in these events. At the Sukhothai Historical Park, there is a float procession of large Krathongs from seventeen of the northern provinces.
Government departments, commercial undertakings and public bodies all join together to make this a Loy Krathong Festival Special.
Loy Krathong in North Eastern Provinces
The Illuminated Boat Procession is the answer to the loy Krathong Festival for the North Eastern Provinces. Held at the same time as the Loi Krathong festival, it is a spectacular display of illuminated boats on the Mekong River.
Boats can be as long as 12 metres, made from banana stalks and/or bamboos by the local villagers. They are designed and built to imitate famous places - or mythical creatures, and are decorated with flowers and thousands of lanterns and lamps.