Event: Loy Krathong in Bangkok

Every year in the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, usually in November, Thai people celebrate “Loy Krathong”. “Loy” means swimming or flotation, “Krathong” is a small float, traditionally made of banana shrubs. The idea of “Loy Krathong” started in Sukothai. Today it is celebrated all over Thailand, but according to many travel guides especially Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya are well known for their huge celebrations. With this annual event Thai people celebrate the end of the main rice-growing period and thank the water goddess for an abundant supply. But it is also the time to let previous illnesses and misfortunes “float away”. People build “Krathongs” and decorate them with banana leaves, flowers, food, coins, personal things like hairs or finger nails, candles and incense sticks. Tourists of Bangkok have the chance to buy or to build their own “Krathong” at “Taksin Bridge” or “Saphan Phut”. In Bangkok people usually /let their “Krathongs” down onto the water at the small canals called “Klongs”. Young couples often float a “Krathong” together to prove if their love is a long-lasting, true love. If it sinks, they are not made for each other. If it floats well, their relationship is meant to be.

At the day of “Loy Krathong” the “Klongs” in Bangkok get very crowded. Sometimes tourists circumnavigate these crowds and celebrate at private “Loy Krathong” hotel events, where they can float their “Krathong” at the hotel swimming pool or at private river accesses of hotels located near the Chao Phraya River.

This year “Loy Krathong” is dated for the 10th of November – people travelling Thailand during this time shouldn’t miss this event. Think about staying in Bangkok, Ayutthaya or Chiang Mai to get into the romantic atmosphere of all these small illuminated “Krathongs” floating on the water.