Traditional Thai Festivals - Loy Krathong
Loi Krathong is a religious event that happens every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month ( first full moon day of November ). All Thai people buy or make a "krathong". It is made of floating polystyrene surrounded by banana leaves, with flowers and a candle at the middle. Then in the evening, Thai people go to places where there is a river, a pound to launch their "krathong". In ancient times, this ceremony was to excuse one-self to the spirit of the river and to let float one's sins away. Little boys are allowed to take the coin when the candle of the krathong is lit off.
An old Thai proverb says that "When a boy and a girl are launching a krathong together they will be lovers this life or next life".
According to an another Thai custom, people must keep their eyes on their krathong until it drifted out of sight as there is a belief that the longer the candle is burning, the better the next year will be.
Nobody will grab your krathong except little children that are allowed to take the coins when the candle is blown out.
On the night of Loi Krathong, it is time to send a "kratong". People, who are not skilled enough to make it, can buy it in many small shops. Then they go to a river, a pound or even hotel swimming pools in Bangkok. Even in places where there is no river, Thai people make two small swimming pools linked with tubes in order that the krathong floats from one swimming pool to the other. Then Thai people lit the candle, insert a "one bath coin", make a wish and let their krathong float.
 |
Loi Krathong happens everywhere in Thailand. In touristic places like Sukhotai,
Ayuthaya the festival is highly famous. Often there is an election
of miss Loi Krathong. Women are dressed in Thai traditional
clothes. People who expect to see them in swimming suit will be
deceived. For a more traditional festival closer to everyday Thai
life, people prefer non touristic places.
|
In november 2000 Kesaraporn Duangsawan captured the hearts of the judges and walked away with 6,000 baht as first runner-up in a Loi Krathong beauty contest in Ratchaburi -- until organizers discovered the beauty queen was a man. Some of the contestants had complained of unfair competition saying Kesaraporn was actually male. The disgraced 22 years old beauty queen handed back the prize money a few days after. Kesaraporn had asked only to keep the Miss Media runner-up sash as a momento.
Search for books about Thai culture and Traditional Thai Festivals
|
||||||
