Great Things To Do At Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong, or sometimes spelled Loi Krathong, is a Thai festival that has been celebrated nationwide since the Sukhothai period. Although there are a number of disputes as to where and when the festival started exactly, the most widely accepted information is that after King Ramkhanghaeng's consort, Nang Noppammas, made a tiny boat made of banana leaves and shaped like a lotus flower, and which they later floated into the river, the King released a Royal decree that the practice be celerated annually from then on. Sukhothai, Thailand's first capital, then became the birthplace of Loy Krathong.
The act of floating the krathong was to show gratitude to the god of the river, Phra Mae Kong Ka for giving life to the people, and to ask forgiveness from the river god for spoiling the waters. The rivers and other water bodies, in the past, were the main source of living for the people.
The Practice:
More than 700 years later, the festival, which usually falls on the full moon of November, is still celebrated nationwide annually. Although the celebration is not a public holiday, it is still a festival widely respected and practiced in Thailand.
The reasons for which the festival is celebrated have slightly changed, along with the designs and materials of the krathong.
These days, the krathong is made of a small section of a bark of a banana tree, decorated with colorful flowers. The krathong will also have a candle, a coin of any amount, and three joss sticks (aroma sticks). People will light the candle, the three joss sticks, make a wish, and finally float the krathong into the river. It is believed the the krathong will carry with it the bad lucks of last year and with the people's prayers, bring in goodluck in return.
For Lovers:
For couples, Loy Krathong is a good time to get a glimpse of their future as lovers. Each partner will float a krathong of his or her own, and they will both watch their krathongs drift into the river. If their krathongs manage to stick together or remain close with each other despite the ripples of the water while drifting down the river, this would mean a good and blessed future in their relationship. However, if the krathongs would drift away from each other, then the relationship might be bound end in the near future.
Best place to be on Loy Krathong Day:
If you are working in Bangkok, no use of traveling to other provinces just to witness the best of the celebration, especially since this year's Loy Krathong is on a Wednesday.
Now, this is not to say that Bangkok's celebration is not worth watching. It is, although, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Tak, were and still are among the top provinces where Loy Krathong festival is at its best. So, if you are in one of these places, make the most out of it and check out the show.
Sukhothai Province seems to be the best among the list. Living up to expectations as the birthplace of Loy Krathong, Sukhothai will be having a week-long celebration of the festival starting on November 6. This will be highlighted by its annual best krathong competition, Nang or Miss Noppammas Beauty Contest, best Hanging Lanterns competition, and a display of fireworks each night until the Loy Krathong night. There will also be a procession of floats from the 17 other provinces of the North.
The main celebration will be held at the Sukhothai Historical Park and Sukhothai Central Hall.
There will be two venues to choose from when in Ayutthaya for this year's celebration. If your choice is the old style of Ayutthaya Loy Krathong celebration, then head on to Thung Phukhaothong Area. Thai cultural performances will be showcased here. But, if you want to go ahead and loy your krathongs and watch the Miss Noppammas Beauty contest, then head down to Pridi-Thamrong Bridge. There will also be a Kids Noppammas Beauty Contest, and a Best Krathong Contest here.
The cool place of Chiang Mai will be warmed by little hot-air balloons or floating lanterns which will be released into the air every night starting November 11. The province's main attractions for this year's celebration also include the Best Krathong Contest, Thai cultural performances, and of course, the Loy Krathong Miss Yi Peng Beauty Contest.
Before krathongs are floated on the Mae Ping River, the river will first see speed with the Bamboo Raft Race. The ever present fireworks will also light up the skies each night until November 13.
Loy Krathong Sai is an event that makes Tak's Loy Krathong celebration unique. You can't find this anywhere else. Loy Krathong Sai are small krathongs made from coconut shells with a single lit candle and floated in a line on the Ping River.
The Royal Family's lanterns will also be floated among the krathongs, while the best Krathong Sai will receive His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Cup.
Tak's celebration will start on November 8. There will be a Best Krathong Contest, and of course the Miss Noppammas Beauty Contest.
If in other provinces they have contests for the best krathong, Bangkok, on the other hand, has a contest for a bigger thing - the Best Traditional Loy Krathong Boats.
Crowds will march to the banks of the Chao Phraya River to float their krathongs. A boat cruise for as cheap as B100 (Baht) will also take you down the river for an hour - a sufficient time to enjoy the sights of the building along the river bank. The boat will stop at a certain point and give the passengers ample time to float their krathong in the river, before heading back to the port.
Bigger boats will of course mean bigger fee. These ornately decorated boats will cruise down the river for about two hours, and most will also offer a buffet of traditional Thai food.
The celebration in Bangkok starts on November 8. The best place to view the parade of boats and krathongs is at Santichaiprakarn Park.
Do: Choose krathongs that are environmental - friendly. Some vendors are now selling krathongs that are made of bread. These have been promoted by the government as they don't clog the waterways, and can at the same time, be food to aquatic animals.
Do: Take a boat trip down the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and enjoy the sceneries.
Do: Watch the Thai Cultural Performances.
Do: Try some exotic Thai food.
Don't: Buy krathongs that are made from synthetic, non-biodegradable materials like Styrofoam or plastic. Remember that Loy Krathong is supposed to be a festival held to offer thanks to the god of the river for the life and support it gives to the people, and to offer apologies for polluting the water. Non-eco-friendly materials just won't justify your offering.
Don't: Get drunk on Loy Krathong night. It's going to be a very busy night, a lot of things will happen and a lot more can happen to you if you're drunk, i.e. mobbed, robbed, and clobbered.
Don't: Jump into the river. That's self explanatory.
About the Author:
Dan DeLa Cruz is a traveler, author, and international dating coach. He is most well known as the author of the The Global Dating Revolution a guide to foreign women and brazilian women.
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