Where to go for ‘Loy Krathong’
Held annually, Loy Krathong is one of the most beautiful Thai festivals, and it is a time to give thanks to the goddess of waters and to seek forgiveness for past misdeeds. It occurs at night during the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month (this year, Nov. 28). Loy literally means “to float,” while Krathong refers to the lotus-shaped vessels containing candles, incense and flowers which participants float down rivers and on lakes and ponds everywhere. The festival also includes beauty pageants, fireworks and contests making the Krathong from materials such as banana leaves, banana tree trunks, coconut barks or even paper. Each province has its own special features in celebrating this annual Festival of Lights, and here are some of the highlights:
The Delightful Color of Stream, Loy Krathong Festival, Nov. 24-28
The event begins with an opening ceremony on Nov. 24 plus cultural performances, light decorations and the float procession all along the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
Where: Asiatique The Riverfront, Chao Phraya River (Krung Thep Bridge–Krung Thon Bridge), Bangkok
Contact: For more details, call Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at 1672
Phra Nakhorn Si Ayutthaya, Loy Krathong Festival, Nov. 28
Experience the old market atmosphere, riverside night market, and the magnificent ruins of this once glorious capital city; beauty pageants, Krathong contests, and cultural performances are the highlights of this festival, competing to win His Majesty the King’s Trophy.
Where: Bangsai Arts and Crafts Center, Ayutthaya
Contact: TAT office of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya at 03524 6076-7, or TAT at 1672
Yi Peng Festival, Nov. 28–29
Enjoy local cultural performances and handicrafts, the Lanna style walking street, and opening ceremony “Yi Peng Festival 2012,” plus an amazing procession of hanging lanterns at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, beauty contests, and a light and sound presentation on the Ping River. There will also be a Krathong procession competition for His Majesty the King’s Trophy.
Where: Tha Phae Gate (Nov. 28–29), Amphur Mae Jo (Nov. 24–30), Chiang Mai
Contact: TAT Chiang Mai Office, at 053 248604, 0 5324 8607
Loy Krathong and Candle Festival, Nov. 26–28
Activities of the “Dawn of happiness,” the hanging lantern procession, grand fireworks display, Miss Noppamas beauty contest, light and sound presentation, plus Sukhothai arts and culture performances and Krathong desire contest.
Where: Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai
Contact: TAT Sukhothai Office at 055 616-228/9
Loy Krathong Sai Festival and Thousand Floating Candles, Nov. 24–29
Amazing Krathong Sai (procession of floating coconut-shell Krathong), OTOP shopping (wares from the local entrepreneurship stimulus program), and the Krathong Sai desire contest for His Majesty the King’s Trophy.
Where: Banks of the Ping River, Tak
Contact: TAT Tak Office at 055 514 341-3, or TAT at 1672
Loy Krathong Krab Klauy Mae Klong, Nov. 28
Feast your eyes on the Krathong Karb Klauy, enjoy the local cultural performances, the Krathong desire contest, Noppamas beauty contest, and give Pha Pa (donations) to Buddhist monks along the river.
Where: King Rama II Memorial Park, Wat Chonglom, Samut Songkhram
Contact: TAT Samut Songkhram Office at 034 752-847/8
Loy Krathong Festival, 28 November 2012
Krathong desire contest, an amazing procession of hanging lanterns, fireworks display, and arts and culture performances from a variety of local artists.
Where: Suphanburi River (Tha Jeen River), Suphanburi
Contact: Tourism Authority of Thailand at 1672
More information about the event please visit www.loikrathong.net
