Wednesday 16th Is Loy Krathong one of the lovliest and most joyful Thai Festivals.



"One of the most beautiful and popular festivals in Thailand is Loy Krathong. This takes place on the full moon in November. During the evening, many people will go down to their local klong (canal) or river to float their krathongs. They believe this will bring them good luck. The krathongs (see picture above) contain a flower, a candle and three incense sticks which are lighted before being placed on the water. The people usually make a wish at the same time. Some people believe that if the candle remains burning until the krathong is out of sight then their wish will come true. By the end of the evening, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water. Quite often there are also firework displays as well as shows and beauty contests for everyone. Overall it is really a memorable evening."

www.thaistudents.com/festivals/loykrathong.html

RealPlayer:



www.geocities.com/siamsmile365/loigratong1/gratong.ram



Windows Media:



www.geocities.com/siamsmile365/loigratong1/gratong.asx

Edited by: Dr Anne Thrope at: 13/11/05 6:41 am

The full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) is the time for the Loi Krathong festival. The word loi in Thai means "to float", while krathong refers to a cup most commonly made from banana leaves.



A candle is placed inside the leaf cup, which is then placed on the water and left to float away, as an offering to Mae Khongka, or "Mother of the Waters". During the months of October and November most rivers and canals in the Central region are flooded and in many places overflow their banks.



But in the month of November, this changes abruptly, and the weather turns fair and clear, and the hardest work is over for the farmers.

 

Well, yes, except it's a derivative of the Hindu festival for Diwali (variously spelt) - www.sscnet.ucla.edu/south...iwali.html

________________________________________________________________________

"Is that a hydra?" called Hedda from the doorway.  "There's no such thing", said her mother firmly.  "Daddy and I were just making the beast with two backs.  Go to bed." But Hedda was scarred for life - Jane Austin, Memoirs of a Loss Adjuster