Loy Krathong is one of Thailand's biggest festivals. The name means "to float a krathong," (pronounced kra-tong) which is a special name of a small decorated platform used only during this observance. A krathong traditionally is a cut section of banana trunk and is decorated with intricately folded banana leaves and colorful flowers. Usually lit candles are added, as well as incense sticks, and some people add one baht coins (about $0.03). The krathongs are floated on moving waterways to pay respect to the water spirits, as the observance falls on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month of the Thai calendar. This is generally in November, when the rainy season and harvests end.
The sight of hundreds of krathongs floating down a canal or river is lovely (and unfortunately in recent years quite polluting due to the use of styrofoam, but now most people are more aware and have returned to using banana trunks). Associated with the festival are night markets and temple activities. This year I went to a large duo of temples, or wats (Wat Bang Peng Tai [South] and Wat Bang Peng Nua [North]) that are on each side of Bangkok's largest klong, or canal, the Saen Saeb, which flows east to west from the outskirts of Bangkok's eastern districts to the main river, the Chao Phraya, which empties into the Gulf of Thailand just south of the capital city.
By the time I had left, thousands had gathered for the festivities, and scores more were arriving by the minute. It was a colorful, happy and loud scene: monks broadcast announcements and performed blessings in the temple halls, people swarmed through the temple grounds to buy and float krathongs, buy a dizzying array of food (lots and lots of it!), give alms to the temple monks, and make merit by giving coins to beggars.
It is a very important family observance that occurs as the dry season begins, thus a reason to give thanks to the water spirits. It is also a time for making amends for any wrong doing, and to ask for good fortune in the months ahead. If you are ever in Thailand during November, find a nearby temple and take in the sounds and sights of this one day festival. It is a great way to observe and learn about Thai culture.
I hope you enjoy the sights I captured at this year's Loy Krathong festival.
All photos are copyrighted © by the author. No images may be used for any purpose without permission. If you wish to use any of the images, please contact me at stilesphoto@yahoo.com.
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| Krathongs are sold by the hundreds by numerous vendors outside the temple grounds, and by the temple monks inside the grounds. Designs range from the traditional with orchids to newer, such as cartoon characters and whimsical animals. |
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| Traditional krathongs |
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| Loy Krathong is a time for families and friends to gather in a festive atmosphere. |
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| Vendors of all types crowd the temple grounds and the market next to the temples. |
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| Candles and incense are usually added to the krathongs. |
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| Many vendors get into the celebratory mood with costumes. It is very important in Thailand to have "sanuk" (fun)! |
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| A young girl is steadied by her father as she floats her krathong. |
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| Many activities take place in the halls of the temple grounds. Here a senior monk is blessing the faithful, most of whom give alms. |
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| A man adds gold leaf to a statue of the Buddha, a sign of respect. |
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| A young girls lights an incense stick, which will be added to her krathong. |
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| One of the many shopkeepers in the market outside the temple grounds |
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| A man records his family's visit to the temple during the festival. |
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| More activity within the meeting hall. |
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| The temple bell tower behind a wall of smoke from a charcoal grill. |
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| Multi-level gathering |
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| The lovely parade of krathongs |
