Loy Krathong

Krathongs floating on the river.

Loy Krathong (Thai: ลอยกระทง) is a Thai festival celebrated annually in Thailand and surrounding Southwestern Tai countries such as Laos, Shan, Mon, Tanintharyi, Kelantan, Kedah, and Xishuangbanna. The name means “floating ritual vessel or lamp” and comes from the tradition of making krathongs, decorated baskets that are placed on a river. Many Thai people use the krathong to thank the water and river goddess Khongkha (Thai: พระแม่คงคา). The festival originated in India.

Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon in the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, so the exact date changes every year. In the Western calendar, it usually falls in November.

I am grateful to Lode Engelen for providing the images in this story.

Describing your own personal experiences of Loy Krathong, and making comments on the festival, improves all other readers knowledge and understanding. Please consider commenting.

The “basket” is usually a banana leaf, and most krathongs have a candle.

These 2 candles won’t be floated. They’ll be placed either near the river or at her home.

Monks sending lanterns into the night sky.

A couple placing their krathongs into the river.

A beautiful young girl holding a large umbrella behind her.

A much younger girl, looking very serene and contemplative.

Two ladies sitting on a float in the procession.

Looking serious.

Waving to the photographer, Lode Engelen.

Not so happy?

Walking in the parade

Carrying their krathongs

Some are in traditional Thai costume. Some in ordinary clothing

Note the lanterns in the trees

Buying some refreshment

Watching her krathong floating away.

Saying a silent prayer before placing in the river

Soon these girls will be releasing their lantern

A beautiful float made more spectacular by being lit up by lamps at the front

A tractor pulling a float

Everyone competes to have the best float

Dancing the Rawong, a traditional Thai dance.

This float received gasps of astonishment from the crowd

Which float do readers think is the best?

A float representing a ship

What do you think this represents?

Getting ready to release their lantern

Just bought some snacks to eat

A Buddha image and a Stupa.

Not everyone walks in the parade

The young and the old, all enjoy Loy Krathong.

Even foreigners join in the festivities.

There are many different types of Krathong that you can choose from. Some more elaborate and more expensive than others. I’ve seen simple krathongs for as little as 25baht, though not in tourist areas.

My personal preference is to buy from a local school where the children have fun making them. They showed me how easy it was and suggested I try my hand at making my own. It wasn’t very successful!

Stalls selling Krathongs

Two children putting the finishing touches to their krathong