Loy Krathong

In November, people of Thailand celebrate one of the most important holidays – Loy Krathong. According to tradition, the feast is organized in honor of the goddess of water, in gratitude for the water of life.

In translation loy means float and krathong is a floating crown / boat / decoration, which is a small, beautifully decorated raft with a candle, often resembling the shape of a lotus flower. Traditionally, it is made from the trunk of a banana tree and decorated with furled leaves, colorful flowers and incense sticks. Building a krathong is so popular that there are competitions for the most beautiful raft.

When evening comes, Thai people gather along the river, and together with the family drop out krathongs on the water, believing that meet their unspoken wishes and take away all sorrows and misfortunes of the past year. Some people place in the raft also a piece of nail, hair, and a coin for good luck. In larger cities are also organized street parades, firework, and lot of beautifull boats, decorated as krathong, flow on the river.

On the same day, in the north of Thailand, is celebrated also a second holiday Yi Peng, during which theere are released flying lanterns into sky. Unfortunately, due to the risk of damage, they are already prohibited in many places, for example in Bangkok. It is permitted, however, to hang a sizable lanterns on the houses, the walls, the walls of temples or on the branches of trees.