Loy Krathong is an ancient Thai tradition which adopts from Indian culture since the Sukothai period in the reign of King Phra Ruang. This was started by Noppamas who was the chief royal consort. She was the first one who created a lotus flower Krathong and presented to King Phra Ruang to place it in the river during Floating Lamp Festival. Since then, it was accepted as a tradition. Floating Lamp Festival was subsequently changed to Loy Krathong Festival. By the brahman beliefs, Loy Krathong was held to worship the Goddess of water "Mae Kong Ka", Narayana, and to remove one's bad luck away.
For buddhists, Loy Krathong is also a way they welcome the Buddha from giving a sermon to his mother at heaven. Someone believes that this is a ceremony to worship Buddha's footprint at Nammathan River in India. However, most people believe the Krathong will carry away sins and bad luck, so it is the time to be joyful and happy as the suffering are floated away.
In ancient time, when Loy Krathong was held at the palace, people called "Jong Prien" ceremony and then became "Loy Pratheep" (floating lamp). Loy Krathong is a ceremony which falls on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (during November). For this year, it will be held on the 16th November However, many areas will begin since the day 11-16.
Nowadays, Krathong is made of various materials such as banana or crinum lily leaves, decorate with fresh fragrant flowers and a candle of a middle. During the festival, there are many local entertainments and Nang Noppamas beauty contest.
Loy Krathong is an annual festival which held throughout the country, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water.
This year, in Bankok , the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Boat Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Rama VIII Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.
For public, people usually make banana-leaf cups to float them onto the river and there are still some uniquely different aspects in certain communities. For example, Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, during which "Khom Loi"( balloon-like lantern ), the "Khom Fai" ( a fire lantern ) and "Khom Khwan" ( a smoke lantern ) are flown into the sky as a symbol of worship to Phrathat Chulamani in heaven. However, making a Khom Loi will need a lot of artistic skills as well as scientific techniques, just like the ones used in making a balloon.Tracing paper and Sa paper are used to make air bags in various shapes.
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It is believed that flying a Khom Loi is like flying grief and ill fortune away from ourselves or our home.
In Tak province, Loi Krathong Sai Festival is celebrated to reflect the unity of the local people.
Groups of them come to gather at the river banks and bringing along thousands of Krathong made from coconut shells with dried wicks made from coconut flesh anointed with oil or ash for their inflammable as well as durable quality. There, they sing and dance merrily.
The span of the Ping River that passes by the provincial city of Tak is not deeper than one’s waist. Due to underwater sand bars curving into different shapes, forcing the current to meander. So, when the lit Krathongs are floated onto the right current, one after another, they would meander along and make a beautiful and twinkling curving line, or Sai in Thai, amid the darkness of the night.
Besides those, the famous Loi Krathong and Candle Festival also appears in Sukhothai province. The festival will be held on 11-16 November 2005 at the Sukhothai history park and the central government offices.
All visitors will be happy with various kinds of local entertainments, for example chanting accompanying the paddling of a boat and Nang Noppamas beauty contest.
In addition, on the 12th November 2005, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will organize the giant krathong contest. The number of representatives from 17 provinces in Northern of Thailand will come to join this .
U&K
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Water is indispensable to human. It plays an important role in every activities from cradle to grave. So, we can call this "a great giver" to all organisms. To forgive and thank for her kindness , Loy Krathong was held to pay homage to her.
