When the Full Moon rises in the sky tomorrow night, Thais will celebrate Loy Krathong by launching their floats of flowers on waterways nationwide.
Before releasing the floats, called krathong, they often lift them up to their forehead. They will ask for forgiveness of Ganga, the goddess of the river, for wrongdoings in the past as well as for any actions that may harm the water. They will also ask the goddess to carry away their problems while kneeling down on a river bank and launching their krathong. Participants like to see a lit candle in their krathong to last as long as they see it floating away.
Today, you may join the festival at any place that has ponds or even at the sea, as the celebration is not limited to locations along rivers and canals. If you wish to be part of a big extravaganza, here's a few ideas:
The floating lantern ceremony in Chiang Mai. photo: EPA
In Bangkok, the "River Festival 2018" will run from today until Nov 24 at eight locations.
For temples, go to Wat Phra Chetuphon, aka Wat Pho, Wat Arun, aka the Temple of Dawn, Wat Kalayanamit located on the mouth of Bangkok Yai Canal, and Wat Prayurawongsawat located next to the Memorial Bridge. For other venues head to Yod Piman Riverwalk, Tha Maharaj, Asiatique the Riverfront or Lhong 1919. There will also be cultural shows, live music and food outlets at these venues.
In Chiang Mai, locals have another way to celebrate the festival, known as Yee Peng. They release floats in the river as well as launch lanterns, or khom loi, to the sky to worship Chulamanee Pagoda in heaven. Locals will float thousands of lanterns during the nights of Nov 21-23, from 7-11pm. The venues are Tha Phae Gate and around the city moat where cultural shows and beauty contests will take place.
In Tak, people will release krathong sai, which is a long line of small floats. The floats are made of coconut shell containing a lit candle and flowers. The event runs from Nov 18-22 at the Ping River near Saphan Somphot Krung Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi bridge in Muang district.
In Sukhothai, the celebration runs for 10 days from Nov 11-25 in Sukhothai Historical Park. The event is expected to be grand as the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom is credited as the birthplace of Loy Krathong. During the festival, there will be daily light and sound performances at 7.30pm.
For more information, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand at 1672.
