Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong is an annual festival celebrated throughout Thailand. It takes place on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month.
'Loi' (loy) means to float and 'Krathong' means raft they were traditionally made from banana leaves, but nowadays more modern substances are used, such as foam or plastic. These have been banned in many places due to environmental impact. They typically contain lotus flowers, candles, incense and a small amount of money. It is also not unknown for some people to place hair or fingernail clippings into the raft to also aid good luck. Some people believe that if the candle remains burning until the krathong is out of sight then their wish will come true.
A krathong usually costs between 40 and 50 baht, but more elaborate ones (presumably for people with bigger problems) can be higher.
On the night of the full moon, many people go down to their local klong (canal) to float their Krathong's and ask water spirits to sail away their troubles.
There are also processions and beauty pageants where all manner of finery is worn. Floats also are highly decorated with lights and flowers.
King Rama IV wrote in 1863 that it was originally a Brahma festival for giving thanks to the deity of the Ganges, and was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand to honour the Lord Buddha.
You will often hear a Loy Krathong song being sung or played over tannoy systems. This is the English translation:
Loy Krathong, Loy Krathong,
and the water's high in the river and local klong,
Loy Loy Krathong, Loy Loy Krathong,
Loy Krathong is here and everybody's full of cheer,
we're together at the klong,
each one with his krathong,
as we push away we pray,
we can see a better day.
One year a woman called Noppamas, who at the time was chief royal consort, made some floating lanterns from banana leaves and lotus flowers. The King was so impressed that he ordered that krathongs would be floated on the water every year. In memory of that woman a beauty contest is now held every year called 'The Noppamas Queen Contest'
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