Loi Krathong: Thailand’s Festival of Lights

An over-sized pink plastic krathong in the middle of Laguna Lake, Phuket

Krathong after Dark
An over-sized krathong (กระทง) – or banana-leaf floating basket – sits in the middle of Phuket’s Laguna Lake, giving off a cheerful pink light as the sun sets over Bang Tao beach.

Some days feel dark.

Very dark.

It is a truism that the best way to combat darkness is to shine a lamp or light a candle.

Loi Krathong  (ลอยกระทง) is Thailand’s own festival of lights. On the evening of the twelfth full-moon of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, Thais – and lucky visitors – congregate around a body of water and float (loi; ลอย) krathong (กระทง), or banana-leaf boats. 

There are a number of stories about the festival’s origins: the most popular being that it was started by a lady in the court of Sukhothai Kingdom (1238 – 1583) to give thanks to the Goddess of WaterPhra Mae Khongkha (พระแม่คงคา). The more likely explanation is that it is a Thai Buddhist adaptation of an old Brahman festival.

Traditionally, the floats are home-made using sections of banana stem as a foundation, although modern versions might be built on styrofoam (discouraged because of the environmental effects) or bread. The base is covered with banana leaf, and then decorated elaborately with folded banana leaf and flowers before small candles and sticks of incense are added. Sometimes a small coin is placed on the banana-leaf boat as an offering to the water spirits, or hair and fingernail clippings might be included as a symbol of letting go of past transgressions or negative thoughts. The boats are set out on the waters, where they are carried off on the currents, or eventually sink to the bottom of the pools or ponds they’ve been launched in.

My husband and I made our own krathong one year from materials our Thai teacher had brought into class for us. While we had fun constructing them, they were neither as large nor as elaborate as the one’s Thais make for themselves every year.

Before setting your krathong afloat, you light the incense and the candle – the candle venerates the Buddha – and you make a wish or say a prayer. As the basket drifts away on the currents of the water, you let it carry away any hatred, anger, or negativity that was in your heart. 

Please enjoy some photos from Loi Krathongs past.

Marigolds on a Krathong, Lumpini Park

Marigolds and a Paper Prayer
Marigolds are a popular “good luck” flower in Thailand, and are often used in decorative floral arrangements for Buddhist festivals (Lumpini Park, Bangkok).

Young Thai woman with her krathong, Lumpini Park

Contemplation
Before floating your krathong, you need to make a wish or say a prayer. (Lumpini Park, Bangkok)

A Young Thai woman on the Phone with her krathong, Lumpini Park

A Phone and a Smile
It you can’t share Loi Krathong with your friends, I guess a chat on the phone is the next best thing.

Floating Krathong

Floating Krathong

Young Thai men with their krathong, Lumpini Park, Bangkok

Prayers

Young Thai man with their krathong, Lumpini Park, Bangkok

Light a Light

Twilight on the Laguna Lake, Phuket Thailand

Twilight on the Lagoon
The lake at Phuket’s Laguna Resort was calm and quiet ahead of recent Loi Krathong celebrations.

Coloured led lights on the Laguna Lake, Phuket Thailand

Night Lights
A corner of the lake is lit up, ready for the evening’s festivities.

A Thai Mother and Son take an after-dark Selfie on a wooden bench, Phuket, Thailand

Mother and Son Selfie

Small banana-leaf krathong, Laguna Lake, Phuket Thailand

The Krathong
Once night has completely fallen, people launch their floats.

Elaborate Krathong in a tent, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Elaborate Krathong
In a tented pavilion, large krathong have been collected for judging.

Elaborate Krathong in a tent, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Golden Krathong
The winning floats are quite spectacular.

Three Thais making krathong, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Making Krathong
Around the grounds, smaller krathong are prepared for sale.

Coloured Ice-cream Cone floats, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Coloured-Cone Krathong
While most of the floats are constructed from traditional banana and flowers, there are some colourful alternatives!

Thai woman in a headscarf selling food, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Food Vendor
Wherever people gather in Thailand, there is bound to be plenty of food.

Colourful Sushi for sale, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Sushi
Sushi is incredibly popular, …

Thai man putting sushi together, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Making Sushi
… especially when it is freshly put together.

Choosing Sushi from an outdoor selection, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Choosing Sushi

Thai woman grilling seafood, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Food Vendor
Seafood is another popular food item; …

Thai woman grilling seafood, Laguna Resort, Phuket

Grilling Seafood
… freshly barbecued and served with a spicy dipping sauce.

Floating Krathong, Lumpini Park, Bangkok

Krathong Floating

This year, Loi Krathong is Monday November 14th; I think I might have to build myself a float.

Text: Stay Well - Ursula

Light a candle, say a payer, and hope for a better tomorrow.

Until next time,

Stay Well!

Pictures: 21November2010 and 06November2014

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