Loy Kathong Festival, Thailand's FinestPrepared by Harold Stephens
Travel Correspondent for Thai Airways International
One of the most beautiful and popular festivals in Thailand is Loy Krathong. This takes place on the full moon in November, and this year it falls on the 24th. Also called 'festival of light', it is one event that shouldn’t be missed. The problem is where to enjoy the festivities, Chiang Mai, Phuket or right in Bangkok. It’s the opinion of most that the best celebrations take place in Chiang Mai, and I am inclined to agree, but Phuket too has its special fairs and in Bangkok all the better hotels, especially those hotels along the river, put on great shows. But Loy Krathong is not restricted to these destinations alone. Every village, no matter how small, will have its own celebration. Indeed, Loy Krathong is nationwide. The reason for the full moon is that is when the tide in the rivers is highest and the moon at its brightest, creating a romantic setting ideal for poets and lovers.
During Loy Krathong people in the evening go down to their local klong (canal) or river to float their krathongs. They believe this will bring them good luck. The krathongs contain a flower, a candle and three incense sticks which are lighted before being placed on the water. People make a wish at the same time. The belief is that if the candle remains burning until the krathong is out of sight then their wish will come true. By the end of the evening, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water. The Chao Phraya River in Bangkok looks like a river of fire. It’s beautiful and especially when firework displays go off at the same time.
The festival probably originated in India as a Hindu festival similar to Divali as thanksgiving to the deity of the Ganges with floating lanterns for giving life throughout the year.
According to the writings in 1863 of King Mongkut, the beloved King Rama IV, the originally Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honour the Lord Buddha. Lighted candles floating away is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life anew. Aside from creating good luck, Thais pay honor and thanks to the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Kangkha. According to legend, Noppamas, a consort of the Sukothai king Loethai in the 14th century, was the first to float decorated krathongs.
The Thai tradition of Loy Krathong may have started off in Sukhothai, but it is now celebrated throughout Thailand with the festivities in Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya being particularly well known. In Chiang Mai it is known in northern dialect as 'Yi Peng.' The largest krathongs are decorated floats, paraded through the town on trucks. The colorfully lit floats form a long glittering parade as they make their way to the Ping River. Meanwhile, up above, thousands of 'khom loy' (floating lanterns) drift into the night sky. These large balloon-like lanterns are released at temples and sometimes at public gatherings.
The Chao Phraya River is one of the main waterways to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival. In Bangkok, riverside hotels organize special celebrations for their guests. In some hotels, swimming pools are turned into a temporary river for the Loy Krathong celebration. The Oriental Hotel, for instance, has the ideal setting for Lau Krathong at its Riverside Terrace and across the river at its Terrace Rim Naam. Perhaps best of all is to celebrate aboard the hotel’s Maeyanang Rice Barge. The Riverside Marriot down river also has its fleet of rice barges.
Another prime location for Loy Krathong in Bangkok is the Shangri-La Hotel down river from the Oriental Hotel. At the Riverfront Poolside there will be entertainment by "Jonas and Christie", Thai classic folk dances, Miss Noppamas Contest and the Krathong Contest, together with a buffet dinner. The Salathip Thai Pavillions right on the river will view the festivities on the river as well as televised entertainment from the main stage. And the Shangri-la too has its own riverboat, the Horizon. Where else but aboard the Oriental’s Maeyanang and the Shangri-la’s Horizon can you have better front row seats and watch the fireworks up close.
These hotels that I mentioned are not the only venues for enjoying Loy Krathong. Most hotels have their own special entertainment and, at most of the river landings where the ferries stop, there will be youngsters selling tiny krathongs that you can buy for a few baht and set your own boat with lighted candle adrift. But don’t forget to make a wish.
Next week I will take readers on a most unusual motor trip, one that visitors can join. It’s a vintage car drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin on the coast in celebration of the King’s 80th birthday.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q. Dear Mr. Stephens. I read with interest your article about the jungles in Thailand Outdoors. I enjoyed it very much, but I am confused. What you have to say doesn’t jive with what the press has to say about the destruction of the rain forests of Asia and South America. They tell us that the wild life is disappearing. Who do we believe? Can you tell your readers? Charley Schaffer, NY
A. Dear Charley. Thailand has 48 national parks, many of which are easily accessible to the visitor. Space prohibits me from listing them all but let me tell you about one, Khao Yai National Park, the oldest national park in Thailand and by some standards the best in the world. Khao Yai has large areas of rain forest, an abundance of wild life, and over 500 km of hiking trails. The park is located in the north-east 205km from Bangkok and can be reached by bus or train. Accommodation can be arranged with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.—HS
Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail: ROH Weekly Travel (booking@inet.co.th)
Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. | 
