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Loy Krathong Festival, The Most Romantic Thai Celebration

Loy Krathong Festival, The Most Romantic Thai Celebration
Asia Tourism | Loy Krathong Festival

Loi Krathong is one of the best-preserved traditional, romantic and most beautiful festivals celebrated in Thailand, illustrating the close relationship between the Thai way of life and water.

Also called Lantern Festival or Festival of Floating Bowls, it is a traditional Thai cultural festival of lanterns, wishes and lights that will take place on November 3 this year.

As reported by Financial Express, this festival is held across Thailand; however the most popular regions to experience the festival are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri and Tak.

Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai. Image: Chiangmai.bangkok.com
Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai. Image: Chiangmai.bangkok.com

 

This festival is celebrated on the night of the full moon of the 12th Lunar month (usually in November), where people gather at lakes, rivers, canals, and other waterways to set adrift krathong.

The Thai word 'Loy' means 'to float in Thai, while 'Krathong' is a small raft, about a hand span in diameter, made from a section of banana tree trunk – although today specially made bread 'flowers' or even Styrofoam are used. 

Thais decorate their Krathongs with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks. Some people also add hair or fingernail clippings.

The magic of Loy Krathong. Image: Visit Khao Lak
The magic of Loy Krathong. Image: Visit Khao Lak

 

The act of floating Krathongs on rivers, canals or any other body of water symbolises letting go of grudges, problems and anger so that one can start life afresh – a cleansing tradition of sorts.

The idea being that all people should prepare suitable offerings to present to the river spirits in order to obtain pardon and the absolution of their sins. In doing so the Thais are also welcoming the spirit of good fun or 'sanook' – something they know a lot about.

Loi Krathong is celebrated widely in Bangkok with various kinds of entertainment, and it is organised at many locations, not only at riverside venues.

Loy Krathong Festival. Image: Samuitimes
Loy Krathong Festival. Image: Samuitimes

 

Do not miss this picture perfect festival of lights as all water bodies, be it rivers or lakes, are lit up by rafts decorated with candles, flowers and incense sticks. Watch out for illuminated boat displays along the Chao Phraya River, cultural programmes, fireworks, and hot air balloons, among many other attractions.

The Nation compiles the best venues and events to experience this festival.

 

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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