Festival in Thailand - Loi Krathong Festival - OpenmindProjects Community:OC

LOI KRATHONG
by Nik OpenmindProjects team
The feast "LOI KRATHONG" (ลอยกระทง) is a religious event that happens every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (first full moon day of November). All Thai people buy or make a "KRATHONG". It is made of Styrofoam (bad choice as it is not biodegradable) surrounded by banana leaves, with flowers and a candle at the middle.

Then in the evening, Thai people go to places where there is a river, a pound to launch their "KRATHONG". In ancient times, this ceremony was to excuse one-self to the spirit of the river and to let float one's sins away. Little boys are allowed to take the coin when the candle of the krathong is lit off. An old Thai proverb says that "When a boy and a girl are launching a KRATHONG together they will be lovers this life or next life".
According to an another Thai custom, people must keep their eyes on their "KRATHONG" until it drifted out of sight as there is a belief that the longer the candle is burning, the better the next year will be.

Nobody grabs the "KRATHONG" except little children that are allowed to take the coins when the candle is blown out.

On the night of "LOI KRATHONG", it is time to send a "KRATONG". People, who are not skilled enough to make it, can buy it in many small shops. Then they go to a river, a pound or even hotel swimming pools in Bangkok. Even in places where there is no river, Thai people make two small swimming pools linked with tubes in order that the krathong floats from one swimming pool to the other. Then Thai people lit the candle, insert a "one Baht coin", make a wish and let their krathong float.

Written by Thaweesilp L.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
LOI KRATHONG by Nik OpenmindProjects team The feast "LOI KRATHONG" (ลอยกระทง) is a religious event that happens every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (first full moon day of November). All Thai people buy or make a "KRATHONG". It is made of Styrofoam (bad choice as it is not biodegradable) surrounded by banana leaves, with flowers and a candle at the middle. Then in the evening, Thai people go to places where there is a river, a pound to launch their "KRATHONG". In ancient times, this ceremony was to excuse one-self to the spirit of the river and to let float one's sins away. Little boys are allowed to take the coin when the candle of the krathong is lit off. An old Thai proverb says that "When a boy and a girl are launching a KRATHONG together they will be lovers this life or next life". According to an another Thai custom, people must keep their eyes on their "KRATHONG" until it drifted out of sight as there is a belief that the longer the candle is burning, the better the next year will be. Nobody grabs the "KRATHONG" except little children that are allowed to take the coins when the candle is blown out. On the night of "LOI KRATHONG", it is time to send a "KRATONG". People, who are not skilled enough to make it, can buy it in many small shops. Then they go to a river, a pound or even hotel swimming pools in Bangkok. Even in places where there is no river, Thai people make two small swimming pools linked with tubes in order that the krathong floats from one swimming pool to the other. Then Thai people lit the candle, insert a "one Baht coin", make a wish and let their krathong float. Set as favorite Bookmark Email This Hits: 119 Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry 0 Comments Show/Hide comments Write comment Show/Hide comment form You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 25 March 2008 )