Thailand, world renowned for its festivals and holidays, will be celebrating Loy Krathong this year on November 8 2022. Loy Krathong is considered one of the most popular and beautiful celebration in Thailand. This colorful, nationwide celebration is held every year on the night of the full moon on the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. People around the country head to lakes and rivers to place colorful baskets into the water and watch them float away. Experiencing the amazing beauty of hundreds or thousands of baskets and lanterns floating down the waterway is a memorable experience.
What is Loy Krathong?
Loy Krathong, or the Thai Festival of Lights, is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Thailand every year. It comes from the tradition of making krathong or buoyant, decorated baskets, which are then floated on a river. Literally translated, Loy Krathong means floating banana tree trunk; ‘ Loy (ลอย) stands for ‘floating’ and Krathong (กระทง) stands for ‘decorated banana tree trunk’.
Millions of people gather at waterways and lakes in Thailand during Loy Krathong. The sending off of krathongs symbolizes the release of bad luck from the previous year and allows participants to make a wish for good fortune in the coming year.
How do you make a Krathong?
Some people will make their own krathongs, but most people will buy a pre-made one from a street vendor. Go anywhere where is water on the evening of the full moon in the 12th lunar month, and you will see many of them being sold, along with desserts and other offerings
Traditionally the krathong basket is made from a slice of banana tree trunk and banana leaves. Then flowers will then be placed inside the basket, along with a candle and incense sticks (joss sticks). The person who will be floating the krathong will often take a small clipping of their hair or fingernail which will then be added to the krathong together with some coins.
The candle and incense are then lit and a wish is made before the krathong is placed on the nearest stretch of water. It is believed that the krathong carries away bad luck and signals a fresh start.
The history of the Loi Krathong festival
Loy Krathong, or ‘the festival of lights,’ most likely originated in the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom which dates back 800 years. The King, Ram Kampaeng, was a devoted Buddhist and believed that at the end of the Thai year his people should pay tribute to the water goddess, Phra Mae Khong Ka for all they had been given. He chose a night with a full moon at the end of the monsoon rains. This ensured that the rivers and canals would be at their fullest to worship.
Loy Krathong is not necessarily a religious holiday, but you will see many Thai’s praying to the water goddess, Phra Mae Khong Ka , as they send their decorated ‘baskets’ down the river.
Loy Krathong in Phuket
In Phuket the celebration of the Loy Krathong Festival is not as huge compared to Chiang Mai or Bangkok but Phuket is a great place to visit where you can combine a relaxing beach holiday with the beautiful cultural experience of Loy Krathong.
Loy Krathong is celebrated on many of Phuket’s beaches, waterways, hotels and resorts. Patong Beach is traditionally one of the busiest centers of the event where you may find beauty contests, street food and entertainment. Nai Harn Beach, Phuket’s most Southern Beach, is another popular place to participate in Loy Krathong.
Phuketians, local residents of Phuket, typically celebrate Loy Krathong in Saphan Hin Park and Suan Luang Park in Phuket Town. If you are looking for a more local experience with food and performance, but don’t mind the crowds, you might want to check out one of these locations.
Many Phuket hotels and resorts host their own celebrations. These venues are usually announced a few days before the event so keep an eye out for their announcements.
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