Loy Kratong Festival

Photos from the Loy Kratong Festival Parade close to our home

“Loy Krathong” refers to the name of a ceremony which is done on the night of the full moon of the 12^th lunar month, by lighting incense and candles and inserting them onto something crafted into various shapes; for example, krathongs shaped like boats, rafts, lotus flowers, etc., which will not submerge under water. These are then taken to be released to float on waterways.In the present, (Thai) people everywhere have the feeling that “Loy Krathong” is a festival for being joyful, for relaxation, and is an opportunity to ask forgiveness from “the Mother of Waters” for depending on the water for drinking and use. More than this, (people) also throw dirty things into the water, which is equal to not respecting “the Mother of Waters.” Therefore, in the krathongs are lighted incense and candles, and sometimes other things or small amounts of money are placed (there) as a way of making merit too. After this (floating the krathongs), (people) ask for a blessing from “the Mother of Waters,” in order to have happiness and good luck. But in some regions there will be more important details; for example, the Loy Krathong ceremony in the North would include feeding the monks at the temple to make merit first, then floating the krathongs in the rivers, as a way of floating away one’s various sorrows, illnesses, danger, and sins with the krathongs. As for older people, they will often use this as an opportunity to observe religious rites. or harvest. They therefore use this period of time to release their emotions to have fun and relaxation."

(Extract from an article written by a past student at our language school)