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.
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.
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.
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:
As a part of the festival, you can make your own Krathong and here's how to make a Krathong:
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.
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.
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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.