The Loy Krathong lantern festival takes place on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month in Thailand and November in western calendar. It is annual festivals held throughout Thailand and several provinces in Laos and Myanmar. With the glowing sky lighting up from tens thousands of lanterns, the sparkling river with hundred thousands of flower boats lined by waterways, the festival of flowers is considered the second largest festival of the year, after the traditional Lunar New Year Songkran. This is also one of the most beautiful, colorful and oldest festival in Thailand.
Traditional festival
Traditionally, on the festivals of Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, thousands of Thai people concentrate on rivers and canals with lanterns in their hands, wishing a wish and gently releasing a floating lamp on the river.
In Thai, “Loy” means “drop” and “Krathong” means “lotus lantern”. Lantern Festival was the occasion for the Thai people to express their gratitude to the Water Goddess Phra Mae Kongka who had given abundant water to human beings and this is also a chance for people to apologize to the goddess for causing pollution of water that goddess gave. It is believed that “Water Mother,” the source of life, will bless and protect their lives throughout the year. Today, it is believed the festival is where the wishes of the people will come true. In particular, couples who love each other drop the lights on this day in the hope that their love will last forever.
Visitors can come here on the full moon day, which is November 6th (traditional Loy Krathong festival) and Yi Peng festival is held a few days earlier. Many hotels pick up guests free from Chiang Mai International Airport, or take a taxi for about $ 4. In the city, there are three-wheelers, lambs, visitors should pick up trucks to reach anywhere in the city easily and inexpensively.
Some offerings to drop during lantern festival
Chiang Mai is one of the ideal destinations for this occasion. To show respect, when you come here and visit temples, take off your hats and shoes, not to wear shorts, short skirts, or underarm shirts. Guests can stay at hotels from budget to high-end throughout Chiang Mai, especially hotels located in the heart of the Old Quarter.
Larntern in Thailand is so beautiful. In case you are a nature lover, you should visit Vietnam, too. Our Halong bay tour from Hanoi will show you the best!
During the day, you can go biking around the city and admire the scenery here. On Sunday, you also can go to the night market in Chiang Mai to enjoy the bustle of life here and the northern specialties of Thailand.
To participate in the festival, prepare yourself for some gifts such as incense, candles, banana decorations to drop into the river, or lantern to pray for peace.
