Thailand - Experience Loi-Krathong - Holidays in Thailand

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Loi Krathong

Magical, enchanting, mesmerising; this is the most captivating of all of Thailands festivals. Celebrated on the full moon in November, the origins of Loi Krathong - otherwise known as the Festival of Lights - are disputed although since it occurs at the end of the rainy season when the countrys rivers are overflowing, it is popularly believed to be in honour of the goddess of water, Mae Nam. Loi means to float, while krathong is a basket-like raft about a hand span in diameter. Krathongs are traditionally constructed from elaborately folded banana leaves, ornately decorated with colourful flowers and artistically shaped into lotus blossoms, swans or chedis. With the addition of candles, incense sticks and coins they are released amid prayers and wishes onto the nearest body of water on the night of the full moon. Ponds, khlongs, rivers, the sea and even swimming pools are magically lit by the twinkling lights of thousands of these little aquatic lanterns in reflection of the starry sky above. It is an incredibly romantic sight. Celebrations marked by fireworks, beauty contests and entertainment typically follow the launch.

Visitors can experience the celebrations nationwide. In Bangkok buildings are lit up along the Chao Praya River while Sukothai considered the birthplace of the festival elaborately celebrates Loi Krathong over nine days. In Tak Province krathongs are constructed from coconut shells threaded together and launched simultaneously to magically appear as long chains of glittering lights on the slow-flowing River Ping. In Chiang Mai, Loi Krathong coincides with the amazing Yi-peng Northern Lantern Festival where rice-paper lanterns resembling hot air balloons are lit and released into the night sky as an offering to the Lord Buddha.

Join in the beauty of Loi Krathong and launch your own miniature basket-boat, but give a thought to whom you share the occasion with; it is said that couples can get an insight into the future of their relationship by watching whether their krathongs float together or drift apart while popular opinion believes that if two lovers set a krathong adrift and it stays afloat until out of sight, their love will last forever. Good luck!