Loy Krathong Festival: Thailand's Enchanting Festival of Lights
Loy Krathong is a vibrant and enchanting festival held annually in Thailand, Laos, and some parts of Malaysia and Myanmar. Loy Krathong pays tribute to the goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. The name "Loy Krathong" translates to "floating basket," as participants release decorated baskets made of banana leaves and flowers into rivers, canals, and lakes, carrying away their sins, worries, and bad luck from the past year. You can book a Thailand tour package during the time of the festival and have a great time with your loved ones.
Significance of the Loy Krathong festival
Loy Krathong has deep cultural and religious roots in the Thai tradition. It symbolizes gratitude towards the vital role of water in people's lives and honours Phra Mae Khongkha for her blessings and good harvests for the year. The act of releasing Krathongs signifies letting go of the grudges we hold or the negative emotions while expressing hope for a fresh start. The intimate display of candlelight during this festival serves as a reminder for individuals to reflect on their actions and intentions in life.
How is the Loy Krathong festival celebrated?
During the Loy Krathong festival in Thailand, people make Krathongs, lotus-shaped baskets. These baskets are decorated with flowers, candles, and incense sticks. After making the Krathongs, people head to the nearest body of water, such as a river, canal, or lake, and float their Krathongs on the water. This act is symbolic of letting go of the negative aspects of their lives and making a fresh start. Some people also put a coin in their krathong, as a way of making a wish for prosperity and good luck. In addition to floating the Krathongs, Loy Krathong is also celebrated with fireworks, parades, and cultural performances. Many people also wear traditional Thai clothing and participate in beauty contests. In some areas, participants also release sky lanterns called "Yi Peng" to honour Buddha. If you’re planning to book a Thailand honeymoon package by November, don’t miss enjoying this festival with your special one.
What is Krathong?
A krathong is a small, beautifully decorated float made from natural materials such as banana leaves, flowers, and incense sticks. It is typically set afloat on a river or body of water during the Loy Krathong festival.
To make a krathong, you will need:
- Banana leaves
- Flowers (such as lotus flowers or marigolds)
- Incense sticks
- A small candle
- A piece of banana tree trunk or Styrofoam as a base
- Some string or thread to tie it all together
As a part of the festival, you can make your own Krathong and here's how to make a Krathong:
- Take a few banana leaves and fold them into a boat-like shape, using string or thread to hold them in place.
- Decorate the krathong with flowers, placing them around the edges and in the centre.
- Insert a few incense sticks into the krathong, placing them near the flowers
- Place a small candle in the centre of the krathong and light it.
- When you're ready, take the krathong to a nearby river or body of water and set it afloat.
Making Krathong is one of the best activities to make your Thailand vacation special. If you don’t want to make one, you can always buy one in the shops near the venues of the festival.
Places where you can witness Loy Krathong festival
If you're planning to witness this mesmerizing festival, here are some of the places in Thailand where you can experience the magic of Loy Krathong.
- Loy Krathong Festival Bangkok: Chao Phraya River, Asiatique the Riverfront, 2194 Charoen Krung Rd, Wat Phraya Krai
- Loy Krathong Festival Chiang Mai: Ping River, Nawarat Bridge, Chang Moi
- Loy Krathong Festival Sukhothai: Sukhothai Historical Park, Mueang Kao Sub-district
- Loy Krathong Festival Ayutthaya: Ayutthaya Historical Park, Pratu Chai Sub-district
- Loy Krathong Festival Phuket: Patong Beach, Thanon Bangla Road
Tips for tourists to enjoy the Loy Krathong festival
- Participate in crafting and decorating their Krathongs.
- Join locals to release Krathongs into bodies of water and make wishes.
- Attend special events held at temples or parks featuring music or dance performances.
- Capture picturesque scenes with photography or videos.
- Taste traditional Thai food and street snacks at stalls set up during the festival.
- Dress well because you may have to spend some hours celebrating.
- Find a spot along the river where you can see the ceremony and enjoy the festivities.
- Try to arrive early to secure a good spot, and be prepared for large crowds.
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Loy Krathong is a Thai festival celebrated annually on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month.
Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated in November every year
The celebration involves making small boats, called Krathongs, out of banana leaves and decorating them with flowers, candles, and incense sticks. The Krathongs are then floated on rivers, canals, and lakes as a symbol of letting go of negative feelings and starting anew.
The Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated throughout Thailand, with the most elaborate celebrations taking place in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Sukhothai.
Loy Krathong is also known as the Festival of Lights and the Thai Festival of Floating Bowls.
The festival is believed to have originated in the Sukhothai era, where it was celebrated to pay respect to the Buddha and to ask for forgiveness from the River Goddess for using and polluting the water.
Some of the traditional foods and drinks associated with the Loy Krathong Festival include kanom dok jok (lotus-shaped cookies), khao tom mud (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves), and sai krog (northern-style sausages). People also enjoy drinking Thai tea and coconut water during the festival.
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