Loy Krathong / Loi Krathong
Loy Krathong or Loi Krathong is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a Krathong is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga , the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River , while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.
 |
 |
A Krathong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making of a Krathong is much more creative these days as many more materials are available.
The Loy Krathong ritual is a simple one. One needs only to light the candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current of a river or a canal.
On that day, thousands of people will gather beside the canals and rivers. With Krathong in hands, they light the candle, put some coins in the Krathong and silently make a wish, and carefully place their Krathongs in the water and release them to the current.
 |
They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered a romantic night for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together on Loy Krathong are thought to stay together in the future.
The practice of Loy Krathong first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in the 13th century. A young queen named Nang Noppamas was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden (look like lotus / water lily) with candles and incense and floated it down the river. The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with Loy Krathong ever since.
There is a famous song for this festival, its name is "Ram Wong Wan Loy Krathong", and there are both Thai and English version as following:
Thai Version (in Karaoke spelling):
WAN PEN DUEN SIB SONG
NAM KO NONG TEM TA LING
RAO TANG LAI CHAI YING
SA NOOK KAN JING WAN LOY KRATHONG
LOY LOY KRATHONG
LOY LOY KRATHONG
LOY KRATHONG KAN LAOE
KHO CHOEN NONG KHOEW OOK MA RAM WONG
RAM WONG WAN LOY KRATHONG
RAM WONG WAN LOY KRATHONG
BOON JA SONG HAI RAO SOOK JAI
BOON JA SONG HAI RAO SOOK JAI
English Version:
NOVEMBER FULL MOOM SHINE
LOY KRATHONG LOY KRATHONG
AND THE WATER IS HIGH
AT THE RIVER AND THE KLONG
LOY LOY KRATHONG
LOY LOY KRATHONG
LOY KRATHONG THIS YEAR
AND EVERYBODY IS FULL OF CHEER
RAMWONG IN LOY KRATHONG DAY
RAMWONG IN LOY KRATHONG DAY
ALL OF US ARE FULL OF CHEER
ALL OF US ARE FULL OF CHEER
The Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand , especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics. In Phuket province, the Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated, groups of people gather at the river banks, reservoirs (old mind) or beaches with their Krathong. The famous Loy Krathong Festival area in Phuket is Saphan-Hin, Chalong Bay and Patong Beach.
Have a good time and enjoy your day!
Krathong made from telephone directory |
 |
 |
Simply style |
Elaborately made |
 |
 |
Petal of the lotus blossom style |
 |
Buy-Sri style |
Rose petal style |
 |
 |
Benjamas (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat) petal style |
