If you find yourself in Thailand in November, you must check out a Loy Krathong celebration. What is Loy Krathong you ask?
The event takes place on the 12th month of the Thai Lunar Calendar on the evening of the full moon. Loy Krathong means “to float baskets.” Thats the literal translation and its also the general idea. Thai people will either make or purchase Krathong, which can be made out of banana leaves/trunk and flowers or even ice cream cones! During Loy Krathong you release your boat onto the river and make a wish. The boat is supposed to float away with all of the bad energy you find yourself having.
Yi Peng also falls during this time of year. People are more familiar with this and often confuse the two. Sky lanterns are launched into the air during this celebration. It is truly a beautiful site… So where do you go to take part in these celebrations?
The obvious choice would be to go to Chiang Mai…. And we did, but the free Loy Krathong/Yi Peng lantern release was cancelled this year and it is unclear if it will ever take place again. There is a paid event that usually takes place on the actual night of the full moon.
So, instead, we took part in the events taking place in our small province, Phrae. It was still beautiful. Many, many people were releasing lanterns into the sky and there were hundreds of Krathong floating in the river. I enjoyed sending a lantern off into the sky with my fellow American teachers as well as making a wish and sending my krathong down the river.
Popular destinations to celebrate the two holidays are Chiang Mai and Sukhothai!
