Photo by John Shedrick (CC BY 2.0)
Loy Krathong Festival
Lit up floating baskets
Loy Krathong, which translates to “to float a basket” is celebrated right after the end of the rainy season, usually early November. In the evening rivers, ponds and canals are lit up by thousands of floating krathong with burning candles.
Loy Krathong date
Loy Krathong is celebrated on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the lunar calendar.
In the Western calendar dates vary from year to year. In 2023 the festival will be held on November 28, in 2024 on November 15.
What is a krathong?
A krathong is a basket traditionally made from a piece of banana trunk, decorated with banana leaves and flowers. Inside the krathong are a few incense sticks and a candle.
It is a beautiful sight to see thousands of krathongs with burning candles float down the water.
Photo by Per Meistrup (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Symbolism of floating krathongs
Loy Krathong is believed to have started as a Buddhist festival. Letting the krathong float away symbolizes letting go of anger, hatred and misfortunes. A wish is made when the krathong is let go.
Nang Noppamart beauty contest
On the festival day several towns host a Nang Noppamart beauty contest. Young women wearing traditional dress compete for the title.
Other activities
Other Loy Krathong activities include fireworks shows and learning how to make your krathong out of natural materials.
Yi Peng festival
In North Thailand Loy Krathong is celebrated at the same time as the festival Yi Peng. Also known as “the festival of light”, Yi Peng dates back to the ancient Lanna Kingdom.
In Chiang Mai you can watch both the krathongs on the water and the lanterns float into the dark night.
Photo by Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Floating lanterns
On the evening of Yi Peng people release Khom Loi, meaning “floating lanterns” into the air. A Khom Loi is a sky lantern made from thin paper with an opening at the bottom. When the candle at the bottom is lit, the hot air makes the lantern lift off into the sky.
At some places in the North the air is filled with thousands of glowing lanterns.
Photo by Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Symbolism
The Yi Peng festival marks the end of the rainy season.
Letting the Khom Loi go slowly drifting away in the dark sky symbolizes letting go of one’s problems and worries.