Loi Krathong
Loi Krathong is an annual traditional full moon festival celebrated in Thailand. Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. Which in the Western calendar usually falls in November.
‘Loi’ means ‘to float’ and a krathong is a crown shaped decorated basket. On the night of the full moon, Thais float their krathong on a river, canal or a pond to respect to the water spirits. To ask for forgiveness for using the water.
A krathong is decorated with banana leaves,flowers, incense sticks, and a candle. A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. Nowadays krathongs are more often made of bread as it is better for the environment. A bread krathong will be eaten by fish.
Candles are provided to light your krathong candles.
Traditionally a beauty contest is organised on the same night. Adolescents in traditional clothing will compete. It’s nothing compared to our western beauty contests. The girls are all dressed very classy and behave very mature.
It’s a very colorful festival. Beautifully decorated krathongs can be bought everywhere. Schoolchildren wil parade in traditional clothing, which is extremely cute. Cars in the parade will be decorated. There will be a competition for the most beautiful krathong. And like every festival in Thailand there will be a lot of lighting decoration. It’s a pretty sight.
These pictures are all taken in Uthai Thani.