Celebrate the Magical Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand!

🌕 Celebrate the Magical Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand! 🌕

Royal Thai Cuisine, or "Aharn Chao Wang" (อาหารชาววัง), is an exquisite blend of flavors, techniques, and traditions developed over centuries. Originating from the palaces of Siam, the cuisine was not only a way to satisfy the royal family's palate but also a reflection of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Every dish carries the influence of various kingdoms, from Ayutthaya to Rattanakosin, and embraces a harmony of flavors that tantalize the senses.

What is Loy Krathong?

Loy Krathong, translated as “to float a basket,” involves releasing beautifully crafted floats, known as krathongs, into rivers, lakes, or ponds. These krathongs are traditionally made from banana tree trunks or bread, decorated with flowers, candles, and incense sticks.

The festival is a tribute to Phra Mae Khongkha, the goddess of water, as a way of showing gratitude for the water’s bounty and asking for forgiveness for polluting it. Additionally, it’s a time for participants to let go of past misfortunes and make wishes for the future.

Loy Krathong is celebrated on the full moon of the 12th lunar month in the traditional Thai calendar, which usually falls in November. The exact date changes each year because it’s based on the lunar cycle.

In 2024, Loy Krathong will be celebrated on Monday, November 18th.

Top Places to Celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand

Each region in Thailand has its own special way of celebrating Loy Krathong, with vibrant festivals and unique traditions. Here are some of the best places to experience the magic of this festival:

1. Chiang Mai (Yi Peng Festival)

Chiang Mai offers a truly spectacular celebration of Loy Krathong with its Yi Peng Festival. This northern city is famous for its breathtaking sky lantern release, where thousands of khom loi (floating lanterns) are set into the sky, lighting up the night like a sea of stars.

• Best Spots: The Mae Ping River, Tha Phae Gate, and the Three Kings Monument are popular places to watch the lanterns rise and float your krathong down the river.

• What to Expect: Along with the lantern release, Chiang Mai’s Loy Krathong festivities include traditional Lanna performances, parades, and krathong-making competitions.

• Cultural Significance: While the floating lanterns may look modern, they are a deeply spiritual tradition. Releasing a lantern is seen as a way of making merit and symbolizing the release of negative energy.

2. Bangkok (Chao Phraya River)

The bustling capital city of Bangkok hosts some of the most vibrant and large-scale Loy Krathong celebrations, particularly along the majestic Chao Phraya River.

• Best Spots: Riverfront venues like Asiatique, ICONSIAM, and the riverside parks offer prime viewing locations for the krathong-floating and fireworks displays.

• What to Expect: Bangkok’s Loy Krathong is marked by grand festivities, including fireworks, concerts, cultural performances, and a krathong beauty contest, where intricately decorated krathongs compete for the top prize.

• Popular Events: Major hotels along the Chao Phraya offer Loy Krathong dinner cruises, where guests can enjoy a meal while watching the krathongs float by under the city’s dazzling lights.

3. Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai, the ancient capital of Thailand, is often considered the birthplace of Loy Krathong. The Sukhothai Historical Park, with its centuries-old temples and stunning architecture, offers a more traditional and peaceful way to experience the festival.

• Best Spots: The historical park’s ponds and lakes become the setting for krathong-floating, framed by the illuminated ruins of ancient temples.

• What to Expect: The celebration in Sukhothai includes historical parades, traditional music and dance performances, a light-and-sound show, and a stunning display of fireworks over the park’s iconic monuments.

• Cultural Significance: Loy Krathong here feels like stepping back in time, as the festival retains its historical and cultural depth, away from the modern hustle and bustle of larger cities.

How to Make a Krathong

Making your own krathong is a meaningful way to participate in the festival. Here’s a simple guide to crafting your own:

1. Materials: Banana trunk or bread base, banana leaves, flowers, incense sticks, candles.

2. Instructions:

   • Start by cutting the banana trunk into a small disc.

   • Wrap the edges with folded banana leaves for decoration.

   • Place flowers, incense sticks, and a candle in the center.

3. Float it: Once your krathong is ready, light the candle and incense, make a wish, and gently release it into the water, letting go of negativity and welcoming good fortune.

The Symbolism Behind Loy Krathong

Each element of the krathong has a special meaning:

• The Candle: Represents wisdom and hope for brighter days ahead.

• Flowers: Symbolize honor and respect for the water goddess.

• Incense Sticks: Are offerings to invite blessings and good fortune.

• Floating the Krathong: Represents letting go of anger, grudges, and misfortune, allowing them to drift away with the current.

DID YOU KNOW?
You can get your Thai eSim card before you arrive…

Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices. You can grab your esim on the go before you arrive to Thailand to save expensive mistakes upon your arrival.