Loy Krathong – Thai Floating Festival

This past Sunday was the Loy Ktrathong festival here in Thailand. At this festival, Thais pay respect to the goddess of water by floating small offerings on rivers, canals, lakes and ponds all over Thailand. Loy Krathong is celebrated during the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar, which usually means November.

The word “loy” means “to float” and “krathong” means a “raft.” The rafts are typically made from the trunk of a banana tree. On top of the rafts, Thais put flowers, incense sticks, candles, and small coins. At one point, the rafts were also made of Styrofoam – because it floats so well – but that proved to be an environmental disaster. So now the krathongs are either made of banana tree or bread. Bread is also good because it floats at the beginning, but then as it gets waterlogged, it falls apart and becomes fish food.




The krathongs are meant to honor and pay homage to the Goddess of the Water – Phra Mae Khongkha. The festival is also a time to ask for forgiveness for the things that the Thais have done to the waters – traveling on them, fishing in them, possibly polluting them, etc. And, giving the raft a gentle push is meant to symbolize letting go of anger and bad thoughts, and starting over again. According to my Thai instructor, some Thais will also include bits of hair or fingernail clippings to reinforce the idea of letting go of their former selves.

There will be celebrations all over Bangkok tonight – especially along the Chao Phraya River – but Colin and I agreed to meet at Queen Benasiri Park, since there is a very large pond in the park.

It’s also close by both our homes, on the Skytrain, and conveniently close to the Emporium for a quick dinner afterwards.

You can make your own krathongs or you can buy them. We chose to buy them.

I bought two – a traditional one with a banana tree base and flowers and candles on top, and one that was a turtle made out of bread. (Though, now that I look at the picture, the turtle one looks like it’s being stabbed by the flowers. It was much less gruesome in real life.)

You buy a krathong, add some coins or nail clippings if you prefer, and then head to the water’s edge. You light the candle and the incense sticks, make a wish or say a prayer, and then let your krathong float away with a gentle push.

It was a nice event – a good mix of the mystical and the playful. The little kids were into it – especially this little girl with the electric Minnie Mouse headband.

Candles, incense, flowers, and forgiveness – a noble combination. Glad that I was here this time of year to see it and to take part.