Loi Krathong

Loi Krathong

October-November; full moon night of 12th lunar month

Loi Krathong is an ancient festival held under a full moon throughout Thailand, considered to be the loveliest of the country's festivals. After sunset, people make their way to the water to launch small lotus-shaped banana-leaf or paper boats, each holding a lighted candle, a flower, joss sticks, and a small coin. Loi means "to float" and Krathong is a "leaf cup" or "bowl."
There are several legends linked to the origins of this festival. One holds that the festival began about 700 years ago when King Ramakhamhaeng of Sukhothai, the first Thai capital, was making a pilgrimage on the river from temple to temple. One of his wives wanted to please both the king and the Lord Buddha, so she created a paper lantern resembling a lotus flower (which symbolizes the flowering of the human spirit), put a candle in it, and set it afloat. The king was so delighted he decreed that his subjects should follow this custom on one night of the year. Fittingly, the ruins of Sukhothai are the backdrop on the night of Loi Krathong for celebrations that include displays of lighted candles, fireworks, folk dancing, and a spectacular sound-and-light presentation.
A second legend traces the festival to the more ancient practice of propitiating the Mother of Water, Me Khongkha. The aim is to thank Me Khongkha and wash away the sins of the past year. The coins in the lotus cups are meant as tokens to ask forgiveness for thoughtless ways.
In yet another story, the festival celebrates the lotus blossoms that sprang up when the Buddha took his first baby steps.
A similar celebration is held in Washington, D.C., at the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial. Dinner and participation are by paid ticket, but anyone passing can watch the adult, child, and teen dances and the exhibition of martial arts; and after dark, the floating candles.

CONTACTS:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
611 N. Larchmont Blvd., Fl. 2
Los Angeles, CA 90004
800-842-4526 or 323-962-9574; fax: 323-461-9834
www.thai-la.net

SOURCES:
BkHolWrld-1986, Nov 17
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 666
GdWrldFest-1985, p. 173