Loy Krathong Day
Loy Krathong Day is one of the most
popular festivals of Thailand celebrated annually on the Full-Moon Day of the
Twelfth Lunar Month. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the
rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country.
"Loy" means "to float" and a
"Krathong" is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The
Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.
In fact, the festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer
thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the
candles and joss-sticks,
make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals, rivers or even
small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck,
and the wishes that have been made for the new year due to start. Indeed, it is
the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away.
The festival starts in the evening when there is a full
moon in the sky. People of all walks of life carry their Krathongs to the
nearby rivers. After lighting candles and joss-sticks and making a wish, they
gently place the Krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go
out of sight.
A Beauty Queen Contest is an important part of the festival and
for this occasion
it is called "The Noppamas Queen Contest". Noppamas is
a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period. Old do***ents refer to her as the
chief royal consort of a Sukhothai Kng named "Lithai". Noppamas was
said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the
occasion.
In Bangkok, major establishments such as leading hotels and amusement parks
organise their Loy Krathong Festival and the Krathong contest as mojor annual
function.
For visitors to Thailand, the Loy Krathong Festival is an occasion not to be
missed. the festival is listed in the tourist calendar. Everyone is invited to
take part and share the joy and happiness.