Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is perhaps the country’s most beautiful holiday. Many hours are spent carefully crafting the krathongs using a wide variety of exotic and fragrant flowers that bloom in Thailand. We even made them in school. Each krathong is a work of art, and it is believed that when set afloat they take ones troubles with them.

Nation wide the Thais honor the water spirits by lighting candles and setting them adrift on tiny baskets along the country’s waterways. 

You can buy one of the colorful magnificent creations handmade by the local residents or you can make your own small boat with flowers, coins, three sticks of incense and a candle, then launch it into the river or ocean in the evening, resulting in thousands of lighted krathongs on the water.

My Kathong floating out into the great ocean of life.   Notice the orbs!

In addition to many spectacular fireworks, Thai families launch translucent paper hot-air lanterns that light up the night skies. The solemn sending off of these lighted lanterns has become a festival highlight. A sight to behold as I stood on the beach watching in awe.

Celebrated on the full moon in November, Loy Krathong, began in the 13^th century, and pays respect to Mae Khongkha, Goddess of the country’s life bringing rivers. 

The festival with roots in Hinduism and Buddhism has taken on an additional meaning; today releasing the krathong symbolizes the letting go of anger, grudges, and bad luck and ushers in a new year of happiness and blessings.  

The November Full Moon and spectacular fireworks over the ocean

Loy Krathong seemed especially appropriate this year to pay homage to life giving water as many Thais have been affected by floodwaters.