Thai traditional festival - Loy Krathong (วันลอยกระทง)

Today, November 27th (Monday) , is the traditional Thai festival of Loy Krathong (วันลอยกระทง) , arguably the grandest festival in Thailand at the end of the year . The 2023 Loy Krathong festival , themed "River of Colors," will be held from November 24th to 28th along the Padung Krung Kasem River, illuminated by colorful and shimmering krathongs . It is celebrated in cities such as Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Lay, Samut Prakan, Sukhothai, and Tak.

During Loy Krathong, Thais release handmade krathongs (floating lanterns) into rivers , carrying their hopes and blessings . It's a very important traditional festival for Thais ! Let me introduce it to you today! 🤗

Loy Krathong, also known as the Festival of Lights 🪔 , is one of Thailand's traditional festivals, and it is considered one of the best-preserved and most beautiful. Every November , Thais celebrate this special festival throughout the country . 😊

On the night of the 12th full moon of the Thai lunar calendar , people gather on lakes, rivers, canals, or other waterways to release floating lanterns. This is a Buddhist festival to commemorate Buddhist practices and to illustrate the close relationship between the Thai way of life and water .

The English name for the Loi Krathong festival is "Loi," which means floating on water, and "krathong," which refers to a lotus-shaped lantern made of banana leaves 🪷 , containing a candle 🕯️ , incense, fresh flowers 🌺 , and coins. Nowadays, these lanterns can be made from other materials, such as bread, making them even more environmentally friendly! 🥰👍

Releasing water lanterns expresses gratitude and respect to the goddess who provides water , 🙏 and a hope for forgiveness for humanity's pollution of the water. The lanterns floating on the water are also believed to drive away suffering and bring happiness and prosperity! 💖

The "Release of Ten Thousand Sky Lanterns" in Chiang Mai is one of the highlights of Thailand's Loy Krathong festival. The reason for releasing sky lanterns is to commemorate the celestial deity Phra Thar Jura Manee and to pray for peace and good fortune. Monks chant prayers and blessings for everyone, and tens of thousands of sky lanterns are lit and released into the sky at once, instantly making the sky as brilliant as the Milky Way.

In addition, for Thais, Loy Krathong is like Valentine's Day, because it is said that as long as couples release krathongs together by the water, their love will last forever. Releasing krathongs and making wishes with loved ones will be an unforgettable moment in one's life.