Loy Krathong: The Festival of Lights in Thailand

A Festival of Lights overview

The name ‘Loy Krathong’ derives from the Thai words ‘loy’, meaning ‘to float’, and ‘krathong’, meaning ‘small religious offering’. Each year, on the night of the full moon in the 12th month of the lunar calendar, communities across Thailand gather together; accompanied by Hindu and Buddhist prayers, they wish for good fortune, gratitude and happiness. Participants shape a krathong using banana leaves and flowers, then place a candle inside their creation. As night falls, families flock to beaches, rivers, canals, and lakes, where they set the krathongs adrift in a sea of flickering candles.

Important details from the source

• Each November, Thailand’s waterways come alight with floating candles as communities celebrate Loy Krathong, or the Festival of Lights.
• It’s one of Thailand’s most famous cultural events — but no one’s quite sure of its origins.
• Here, we explore the stories behind Loy Krathong, as well as how you can join the celebrations at COMO Point Yamu in Phuket.
• The name ‘Loy Krathong’ derives from the Thai words ‘loy’, meaning ‘to float’, and ‘krathong’, meaning ‘small religious offering’.
• Each year, on the night of the full moon in the 12th month of the lunar calendar, communities across Thailand gather together; accompanied by Hindu and Buddhist prayers, they wish for good fortune, gratitude and happiness.
• Participants shape a krathong using banana leaves and flowers, then place a candle inside their creation.
• As night falls, families flock to beaches, rivers, canals, and lakes, where they set the krathongs adrift in a sea of flickering candles.
• In Buddhism, it began some 700 years ago in the ancient Thai kingdom of Sukhothai.
• A beautiful woman, Nang Noppamas, hoped to catch the eye of King Ramkamhaeng.
• She spent hours crafting a lotus-shaped offering, then filled it with intricately carved fruit, placed a lit candle in its centre, and floated her creation downriver to the King’s palace.

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