Loy Krathong Festival 2012 Bangkok Thailand on Wednesday 28 November 2012
In November some may wonder what is going on in Thailand when one sees travel magazine ads and posters at hotels showing Thai girls dressed in traditional Thai clothing with beautiful floating objects. This simply indicates that Loy Krathong is on its way. In Thai "Loy" means to float and "Krathong" means a circular floating object with decoration of banana leaves, flowers, a candle and incense sticks. All these are related to Loy Krathong, an event which does not occur on the same date every year; instead it is based on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls in November. People look forward to going out and launching Krathongs together to predict their romance future by the direction the Krathongs float. However, this season is also good for strengthening relationship in the family.The floating of a Krathong is signifies floating away ill fortune as well as expressing apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha’s footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respects to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha’s great disciples. The Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.

 Loykratong History ;The history of Loy Krathong is rather obscure. Some believe that Krathong was first created by Tao Sri Chulalak or Nang Noppamas in Sukothai.
Others overlook its origin and instead focus on the purposes of the ritual: to pay respect to the Goddess of the Water showing their gratitude on their plentiful use of water and ask for forgiveness in the ensuing pollution. Floating the beautiful Krathong away, which is the key activity in Loy Krathong, also refers to flying away misfortune and bad things in the past and asking for good luck in the future. Although it is not a national holiday, many activities other than floating Krathong, are conducted during this festival. Examples of these activities are contests activities are contests involving Krathong-making and Noppamas beauty pageants, local games and performances and fireworks. Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai If you are in the North of Thailand, you can join this spectacular occasion at Chiang Mai where it is specifically called Yee Peng -floating of lanterns into the sky. Most people usually make banana-leaf cups to float them onto the river. However there exist some uniquely different aspects in certain communities. For example, the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, during which balloon-like ‘Khom Loi’ lanterns including the ‘Khom Fai’ – a fire lantern – and ‘Khom Khwan’ – a smoke lantern – are flown into the sky as a symbol of worship to Phrathat Chulamani in heaven. Making a Khom Loi will need a lot of artistic skills as well as scientific techniques, just like the ones used in balloon making. Tracing paper or Sa paper is used to make air bags of various shapes. It is believed that flying a Khom Loi is like flying grief and ill fortune away from ourselves or our homes.
 Yi Peng Festival ;Place : Tha Phae Gate, banks of Ping River, Chiang Mai Municipal Office, Chiang Mai Contact : TAT Chiang Mai, Tel : 66 (0) 5324 8604, 66 (0) 5324 8607
 Loy Krathong in Sukhothai; The Loy Krathong festival in old cities is very famous and attracts many visitors. The glory and historical presence of the kingdom comes alive in Phao Thian Len Fai in Sukhothai.The annual Loy Krathong festival starts in November, when tiny boats decorated with flowers, incense and small coins are set afloat in the country’s water-ways, is celebrated in Sukhothai in especially grand fashion. There is a spectacular fireworks display, folk dances and an excellent sound-and-light shows illuminating Wat Mahathat. Loy Krathong is said to have originated in Sukhothai.The famous Loy Krathong and Candle Festival in Sukhothai province features a procession of offerings, including Phanom Mak – the betel nut offering – and Phanom Dok Mai – the floral offering – carried by beautiful girls, as well as banana-leaf floats accompanied by the so-called Nang Nopphamat beauty queens. The Phanom Mak and Phanom Dok Mai offerings are for the homage paying rite at King Ramkhamhaeng the Great monument in the heart of the ancient city of Sukhothai. After the rites, people as well as visitors come together to float the Krathongs on ponds, known as Traphang, inside the ancient city. The bright candle light from the floating Krathongs and the cool breeze of November together creates a pleasant atmosphere for all participants.
Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival 2012
at Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai

LOYKRATHONG SONG ( English Version )

 

 

Loy Krathong in Bangkok and River Cruises
In Bangkok you will never miss a Loy Krathong festival. Popular places for Loy Krathong include Chao Phraya River, Rama IIX Bridge, Santichaiprakan Park on Phra Artit Road, Benjasiri Park or Queen’s Park on Sukhumvit Road, Benjakiti Park on Ratchada Pisek Road and other waterways and universities. These venues tend to have a lot of people and it could be very crowded. Many of the hotel and waterside restaurant offer Loy Krathong dinners and cruises. If you don’t want to go into the crowd,  as the end of the year draws nearer, the more preparations and setting up there are for this festival. Have fun! on other way you can enjoint to Loykratong Night on Thai River Cruises