Loy Krathong is one of Thailand’s most beautiful festivals and traditions. It is also referred to as the ‘festival of light’, an endearing ceremony that embraces the entire Kingdom. It is said that the practice of ‘Loy Krathong’ first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukkothai in the 13th century. Today, the city of Sukkhothai is still the most spectacular place to join in this festival.
While Loy Krathong can be celebrated at any body of water (there are stories of people who float their Krathongs at home in their bathtubs), the most celebrated venues around the country are; Bangkok, Sukkhothai, Bang Sai Folks and Art Center in Ayuthaya, Hat Yai, and…
Chiang Mai with the Lanna Kingdom Yi Peng ceremony where thousands of lanterns are lit and sent into the sky as a gift to heaven.
In Bangkok, most people make their way down to the Chao Phraya River. For this exceptional occasion, the BTS Sky-train stays open later than usual.
Loy Krathong is a community activity. This special evening is also a very romantic night for lovers. It is said that those who celebrate Loy Krathong together will continue to celebrate together in the future.
Everyone can participate in Loy Kratong. Simply follow the solemn ritual of placing your Krathong on the water; a sign of thanks to the water goddess ‘Phra Mae Kong Ka’ for abundance of this vital element providing sustenance. It is customary to light the incense and candles, as well as place a few coins in the Krathong, for future good fortune.
‘Loy’ literally means ‘to float’, while ‘Krathong’ refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle that can float on water. Traditionally, a Krathong is made from a decorated slice from the truck of a banana tree, containing incense sticks, candles, flowers, betel nuts and coins.
While today you might find Kratongs made from styrofoam, for the good of the environment it is best not to use these. It’s more environmentally friendly to make your own, or purchase, bio-degradable Kratongs. While Krathong vendors can literally be found every few meters, it’s more fun to get together and make your own personalized Krathongs.
So on the night of the full moon, hundreds of thousands of people gather all throughout Thailand at the water’s edge of canals and rivers, even swimming pools. They light their candles and incense while silently making a wish as they place their Krathong in the water, watching intently as their Krathong drifts silently away, hoping that the candle’s flame will stay lit, as the flame signifies longevity & the fulfillment of wishes.
It’s a truly magical moment shared in harmony with everyone around you, as you and your fellow well-wishers intently watch your Krathongs float down the river until your flame is out of view. Precious moments like these are priceless, warming your soul with the knowledge that we really are all connected.
To place your Krathong upon the water, please do as the Thai people have done for centuries:
– Place a coin in the center of your Krathong.
– Light the candle and incense/joss-sticks. (If you don’t have a lighter or matches, please ask your neighbor to help. Remember, this is a community activity where everyone not only wishes well for themselves, but for everyone else also.)
– ‘Wai’ your Krathong, holding it between the palms of your hands at ‘forehead level’, with your fingers joined and not spread apart… and intently concentrate on your wish. (There is no rush, take as long as you ‘feel’ is necessary. Your heart will let you know.)
– Then place your Krathong on the water. (If you cannot bend down low enough, again, there will always be someone to lend a helping hand.)
– Watch the candle as your Krathong floats away. If the candle remains lit, until it is out of sight, you will have good luck in the coming year.
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Loy Krathong is a festival where everyone participates. Some of Thailand’s prominent citizens explain why;
Felipe Frydman, (Argentinean Ambassador)
“It is one of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand. I always enjoy seeing the people preparing and lighting the candles, then letting them going slowly, full of good wishes, down the river. It is a wonderful scene full of hope, love and magic!”
Pimuk Simaroj (Former Member of Parliament, Vice-Minister, and Government Spokesperson)
“The Loy Krathong festival is not only a festive festival. It is also a reflection on the importance river waterways, as well as a moment of joy and expression of gratitude that humans have towards the river.”
Dr. Sirikorn Maneerin (Former Deputy Minister of Education)
“Loy Krathong represents the floating away all bad luck of the year, and of course, welcoming new fresh better things.”
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M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon (Owner/Director, Baan Laksasubha Resort, Hua Hin)
“Floating all ones sadness away with the water …hoping for better things to come in the future.”
“I live on the river and, unfortunately, now-a-days Loy Krathong no longer shows appreciation to the river. It’s just a day when people make a mess of the river. We need to remember who we really are and why we do what we do, to genuinely respect the river before it’s too late.”
Dr. Bremley WB Lyngdoh (Founder and CEO, Worldview Impact)
“Loy Krathong is one of the most beautiful festivals of lights in Asia. It represents the floating lotus which is a symbol of strength and unity, bringing all faiths together.”
M.L. Kalyakorn Kasemsri (Founder, Worldtraveljoy.com)
“Loy Krathong is one of our beautiful traditions, featuring the delicacy of hand-made rafts from banana leaves. It is the greatest occasion to share a significant festival with the loved ones, family and friends.”
Anchana Thongyai Na Ayudthaya (Managing Director, Major Creation Co., Ltd.)
“Floating a raft (krathong) will bring good luck, and is done in honour and thanks to the Goddess of Water. On that day, family members get together sharing activities. On Loy Krathong day we make our krathong together. My whole family always learns a lot on this occasion, especially about our cultural inheritance.”
Dr. Pakpilai Thavisin (Anti-Aging Physician and Dermatologist / CEO, S Medical Spa)
“Loy Krathong is the time when we, Thai people, pray for ‘Pra Mae Kongka’ or ‘Mother of the Water’. We believe that water is the start of life, as we cannot live without water. So we pray to say thank you and ask for forgiveness for the bad things we may have done to water. Loy Krathong is also a very authentic and picturesque ceremony with beautiful hand-made krathong usually from banana leaves and flowers. Although this year too much water has caused flooding and troubles for many Thai people, it gives us the occasion to learn the importance of living in balance with nature.”
Victor Silakong (Festival Director, World Film Festival of Bangkok)
“I love to see our traditions maintained and preserved. Of course Thai people are known to be fun, therefore like to come together and go to the river or khlong. It is beautiful. My fear is that in this new digital era, at this fast speed, the world has changed the way we focus on tradition. My wish is that we still can keep it as it should be for all the future generations to come. But presently, for me, it has lost its appeal.”
Arrut Navaraj (Managing Director, The Rose Garden Riverside)
“Loy Krathong to me is to pay respect to the ‘Water Goddess’ and wishing well, hoping to float away all the misfortunes down the river.”
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“Loy Krathong is the most romantic day of the year. Red hearts and chocolates cannot hope to compete with a party boat trip with friends or, (what all ladies wish), a sweet boyfriend who will jointly float a fragrant flower krathong with candles. To me, this is a day of love and bonding.”
Justin Barnett (Managing Director, Grayling Thailand)
“Loy Kratong is a gentle and uniquely Thai celebration. For me it symbolises the critical part that water, and the river of Kings, plays in Thai culture.”
Elizabeth Romhild (Internationally acclaimed painter/sculptor)
“Having been here for 23 years, I find Loy Krathong very romantic and probably one of the few traditional old style festivities left”.
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Tulaya Pornpiriyakulchai (Founder, Wisdom Beyond Borders)
“Loy Kratong to me symbolizes cleansing. With the blessing of the River Goddess, I seek to release any negativity in life.”
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Jake Needham (Internationally acclaimed novelist)
“Loy Krathong causes me to think back to the time I first came to Thailand more than twenty-five years ago and had the extraordinary fortune to meet the woman who is my wife. Perhaps those were better times for Thailand. Simpler, more harmonious times certainly. I can’t help thinking we’ve all lost something since then, and Loy Krathong always makes me miss it terribly.”
May we hope that all your wishes made on this very special night will bring each and every one of us a bright and happy future.
Happy Loy Krathong!
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The Loy Kratong Song
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| “Wan pen deuan sipsong,nam gor nong dtem dtaling,rao tang lai, chai yingsanook gan jing wan loy krathong!Loy, loy krathong,Loy, loy krathong,Loy kratong kan laewkhor chern nong gaew ork ma ramwong:ramwong wan loy krathongramwong wan loy krathong!boon ja song hai rao sook jaiboon ja song hai rao sook jai!” | “On twelfth-month full-moon,water overflows the canal;all of us,men and womenhave lots of fun on Loy krathong!Loy, loy krathong,loy, loy krathong,when we’ve floated our krathongs,we ask the girls to dance ramwong,ramwong on Loy krathong day,ramwong on Loy krathong day!Good deeds will bring us happiness,good deeds will bring us happiness!” | |
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