The Thai Festival of Light

Loi Krothong is an annual festival that is celebrated in the 12th month of traditional Thai Lunar Calendar which corresponds to November on the western calendar. Loi in Thai means to float while Krothong refers to a small lotus shaped boat made out of banana leaves. It is meant to be a thanksgiving festival, where Thais ask the water sprits to float away their troubles on water and they also light joss sticks, offer flowers and coins as offerings to the Goddess of Water. During the Loi Krothong festival devotees gather on the banks of Thailand’s rivers and pray for a year of good fortune. Specially crafted banana leaf boats that are usually size of one’s hand is released the boats are decorated with elaborately folded leaves, joss sticks, flowers, candles and other offerings.

According to Thai’s the tradition is believed to have originated from Hindu Brahmin culture and is similar to the Divali festival celebrated in India, which is a thanksgiving festival for the goddess of the Ganges. According to the writings of King Rama IV in 1863, the Hindu festival was adopted as a way of honoring the Buddha with light offerings. Apart from the religious significance the act of floating away boats on a river is symbolic of letting go of anger and grudges in preparation of a new year. Some Thai cut way bits of their hair and add them to the boats to symbolize letting go of their bad qualities.

Another important part of the festival is the beauty queen festival, called the “Queen of Noppamas.” Noppamas is believed to be consort of an ancient Thai king and it is said that she was the first to set afloat a “Krathong.” In Bangkok Loi Krathong is celebrated on a grand scale, with the main event staged on the banks of Chao Phraya River. The area will be lit up with dazzling lights; the beauty pageant and an exciting pyrotechnics display are among the highlights of the event.