Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is a nationwide Thai Festival. Loy Krathong begins on the full moon night of the 12th Lunar month which usually occurs in November.

Loy means “to float” and a Krathong is a banana leaf cup. The first Loy Krathong festival was held in Sukhothai in the 13th Century but is now celebrated throughout Thailand particularly in Chiang Mai, where the Festival is also known as Yi Peng, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok.

The origin of Loy Krathong is unclear but was possibly a Hindu festival held to give thanks to the river Ganges for the giving of life. Thailand adopted this ceremony to show reverence to the Lord Buddha. Today, the celebrations of Loy Krathong include not just the floating of Krathongs but also the release of Sky Lanterns , Beauty Pageants called “Noppamas Queen Contests”, Firework displays and especially in Chiang Mai, a procession of spectacularly decorated floats.

In the beginning, a Krathong was a small simple floating cup made from banana leaves but now they are made from all kinds of natural materials and and can be miniature works of art, indeed, in many towns and villages there are competitions for the most beautiful Krathong. Most Krathongs should have at least a candle, some joss sticks and flowers. Sometimes money is also put into the Krathong but this tradition is now not so common as children used to intercept the Krathongs to get the coins.

On the night of the full moon, Thai people will descend on rivers and canals to float their Krathongs to honour the Lord Buddha and to give thanks to the Water Goddess. Thais also believe that the floating of a Krathong, sometimes containing clippings of hair or fingernails, will bring them good luck and symbolizes the release of all their problems and faults.

Loy Krathong festival celebrations last for several days and in most towns there are stalls selling Krathongs to those who haven’t made their own, Sky Lanterns (Khom Loy) and Fire Lanterns (Khom Fai). Many shops, Temples and homes are decorated and the sound of fireworks can be heard night and day.
Restaurants, especially those with riverside locations, will be thronged with customers celebrating Loy Krathong, Thailand’s amazing Festival of Light.