“Have you ever come across those breathtaking photos of shimmering lights floating on water, almost like stars on the water? Chances are, you were looking at scenes from the Loy Krathong festival, Thailand’s Festival of Lights. If you’re in Thailand during this time, you absolutely have to join the event. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
What is the Loy Krathong Festival?
In fact, there are two Festivals of Lights celebrated in Thailand on the same day. One is Yi Peng: releasing lanterns and fire balloons into the air and Loy Krathong, releasing the lanterns onto the water. “Loy” in Thai means “to float” and a “Krathong” is a lotus-shaped floating lantern made from banana tree leaves and bark. On the evening of the festival, people gather by rivers, lakes, and canals to release the candle-lit Krathongs on the water creating the magical scene. Loy Krathong Festival takes place across the country however, the only place to witness the Yi Peng Festival is in Northern Thailand, mainly in Chiang Mai.
When is the Festival?
Across Thailand, the Loy Krathong Festival takes place on the night of the 12th full moon of the Thai lunar calendar which usually falls in mid-November. In 2024, it will fall on the 15th of November. The date is not fixed and changes every year depending on the full moon.
Origin of the Festival
The festival originally honours Ganga, the Hindu goddess of forgiveness and purification, of India’s Ganges River. She is known as Phra Mae Khongkha, the Water Goddess in Thai culture. Loy Krathong dates back 800 years to Thailand’s ancient Sukhothai Kingdom. The popular story goes that King Ram Kampaeng’s consort Nang Noppamas created the first Krathong, adapting an existing Brahmin tradition. The King was so mesmerized by its beauty that he encouraged his people to honour the water goddess every year.
The Rituals and Meaning
Loy Krathong is a beautiful Thai tradition that blends Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, where people show respect and gratitude to the Goddess of Water, Pra Mae Khongkha, for providing water throughout the year. It’s also a way to apologize for any harm to the waters. Many believe that as their Krathong drifts away, it carries away their worries and misfortunes with it. Some people place a piece of their hair or nails inside the krathong as a symbol of letting go and inviting good fortune.
Making Your Own Krathong
Making a Krathong is a fun and meaningful way to get into the spirit of Loy Krathong! Here’s a simple guide to help you create your own biodegradable Krathong.
Materials Needed:
- Banana leaf (or similar wide, green leaves)
- Banana bark (for the base)
- Flowers (such as marigolds, orchids, or jasmine)
- Incense sticks and a candle
- Toothpicks (to hold everything together)
Steps:
- Prepare the Base: Start with a thick slice of banana bark as the base for your Krathong. This will help it float and provide a sturdy base for decorations.
- Wrap with Banana Leaves: Wrap the base with banana leaves, to cover the banana bark. Then, fold banana leaves into cone shapes or cut them into decorative patterns. Arrange them around the base, securing them with toothpicks to hold the leaves in place.
- Decorate with Flowers: Decorate the inside of the Krathong with flowers for a vibrant, festive look.
- Place Candle and Incense: Insert a small candle and a few incense sticks into the centre of your Krathong. These will be lit before you release the Krathong onto the water.
- Make a Wish: Once your Krathong is ready, take it to a water body, light the candle and incense, make a wish, and gently float it onto the water!
This way, your Krathong is both beautiful and environmentally friendly!
How to take part in the Loy Krathong Festival?
Get yourself a Krathong: First things first—you’ll need a Krathong to float! Whether you decide to craft one yourself or grab one from a local stall, try to go for a biodegradable option made from banana leaves and bark without the plastic decorations since thousands of Krathong will end up in the rivers and streams.
Floating the Krathong: You can float your Krathong on any water body, but if you’re in Khao Lak, the main Loy Krathong celebration will be at 813 Tsunami Park, with most people gathering at dusk to release their Krathongs into the nearby stream. Don’t forget to make a wish before you let it go! It is believed that if your Krathong stays float and the candle stays lit until it drifts out of sight, your wish will come true.
Food and Celebration: The festival wouldn’t be complete without stalls of street food and traditional Thai snacks, making it a feast for the senses.
Cultural Festivities: The Loy Krathong Festival also includes captivating performances, fireworks displays, and beauty pageants, where participants dress in traditional Thai clothing.
Final Words
The Loy Krathong Festival is a night of light and warmth, that brings everyone closer together. The festival is filled with colour as people dress in their finest and the candle-lit Krathongs floating on water create a magical atmosphere under the full moon. The whole place is so bright that you can clearly see the beautiful scene of families, friends, and strangers becoming one to the celebration of togetherness, gratitude, and the shared hope for good fortune in the year to come. If you find yourself in Thailand during this season, take part in this unforgettable night.
