Top spots to Loi Krathong

21 Oct 2013  2089 | World Travel News

 The Tourism Authority of Thailand recommends six venues, countrywide, for tourists looking for the top spots to celebrate Thailand’s annual Loi Krathong festival, 17 November.

The annual festival falls on the night of the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month, which is Sunday 17 November this year.

Essentially a family celebration, the festival has its origin in legends from Thailand’s Sukhothai period (1238 to 1438). The legends referr to members of the royal family who created a festival to ask for forgiveness from Phra Mae Kongka (Ganges Goddess of rivers) and to pay respect to the Lord Buddha.

The six venues were chosen because celebrations will be more elaborate than in other destinations, but visitors can celebrate the festival wherever there is a river or lake. The highlighted destinations are: Bangkok; Ayutthaya; Samut Songkhram; Sukhothai; Tak; and Chiang Mai.

What is a Krathong?

Krathong refers to a lotus-shaped tiny boat made from materials such as banana leaves, banana tree trunks, coconut bark or sometimes paper. The Krathong contains candles, incense and flowers, but the details and design can vary. After the Krathong is ready, incense sticks and candles on board the krathong are lit and the tiny craft is sent on its way with a prayer.

Add-ons

On the sidelines of the festivals some venues organise beauty pageants contests with firework displays.

Six venues , six variations:

• Bangkok’s Loi Krathong festival is best witnessed on the banks of the Chao Phraya River with historical temples and palaces as a backdrop,  or downtown where high-rise Bangkok dominates the skyline. Whatever the choice the views are stunning under a full-moon.

Location: Asiatique the Riverfront, Chao Phraya River (Krung Thep Bridge–Krung Thon Bridge), Bangkok

• Bang Sai Loi Krathong Tam Prathip Festival is very traditional, but it has beauty queens contests representing four regions and a floating market as a backdrop.

Location: Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Ayutthaya

• Samut Songkram Loi Kratong: The coastal town on the river estuary on the Gulf of Thailand will attract big crowds and an estimated 100,000 krathongs will be floated under the full-moon sky. Other features are Thai folk shows, Noppamas beauty pageant and krathong contests including offering food to Buddhist monks along the river.

Location: King Rama II Memorial Park, Samut Songkram

• Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival: This so-called Dawn of Happiness city has links to the festival going back centuries and originating in colourful legends that are re-enacted during the festival. There are chandelier lamp parades, fireworks, traditional dance performance, local recreational games and handicraft markets. Held at the World Heritage site, the temple ruins are illuminated and used for traditional dances making it a very impressive place to enjoy the festival.

Location: Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai

• Tak Loi Krathong Sai Festival: More than 8,000 krathongs shaped out of coconut shells and decorated with candles are floated on the Ping River near the Hall of Fame Building. It makes for an impressive sight to see thousands of  flickering  candles  casting  reflections in the water. As they pass under the town’s crowded bridge, the illuminated shells appear to  dance on the river current as they journey down stream. Nearby there are handicraft contests  and OTOP products on display for shopping fans.

Location: Rattanakosin 200 years Bridge, Tak

• Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival: Here the celebration is Lanna style. It combines the light paper Yee Peng lanterns floating on the wind and  krathongs launched on the River Ping from piers and hotel terraces. The festival is also celebrated at the city’s moat.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews

Recommended Cambodia Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Promotion Tours

Promotion Tours

Adventure Tours

Adventure Tours

Cycling Tours

Cycling Tours