Loy Krathong Festival

Loy Krathong Festival

"....Loy Loy Kra thong...Loy Loy Kra thong........"

Yes , this song above, alway comes when we celebrate the most famous festival of Thailand...called "Loy Krathong".

The most popular festivals in early of the month November, is the Loy Krathong Festival. This festival is very welknown to Thai people and also foreigners. And it set during the weather is clear, on the full moon night, when the river is high over the country. There has an important meaning about "Loy Krathong", first, "Loy" means "to float" and "Krathong" means a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, tree joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.

In the past, people believe that they offer thank to the Goddess of water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks, make a wish and launch their Krathong on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs can carry away sins and bad luck, and the time to start the coming new year, tobe joyful, and happy as suffering are floated away.
On the night time of this festival before they place the Krathong on the water, let them drift away, there also has beauty Queen contest as an important hight light. But we call "The Noppamas Queen Contest" instead. Noppamas is a legendary figure from Sukhothai period in the past. It was said that "Noppamas" was a chief royal consort of a Sukhothai-King names "Lhe-thai". She may be the first person who invented and decorated Krathong in Thailand used for floating in the reiver on this occation. So, when the time come, in Bangkok, major places as hotels, amusement parks organise their Loy Krathong Festival and Krathong contest and also Queen Noppamas contest as major function. Fortunately, foreigners who stay in Thailand during this festival, can join the party and share happiness too

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/5 ... krath.html (http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/5265/loykrath.html)

[TrongpaiExpat]

The BF put it this way: You put the Katongin the river to say sorry for puting in before ching chong and kee and to pay respect. The coins are an offering to the river. I asked then why is is Ok for the boys to fish out the coins if they are meant for the river. He said, the river thinks it ok for the boy to take the money because they are poor. We put in 9 baht but some if they have been real bad for the year put in up to 100 baht. Too bad the BF can't swim.

My boyfriend decided it would be a good idea to make and sell the little "Krathong" boats. His money making schemes are rarely successful but at least he didn't make a loss. He made a profit of 150 Baht.