Float your bad luck away by participating in the “Loy Kratong” festival. The word “Loy” means to float and “Kratong” means raft, thus a raft floating festival! This tradition of raft floating is thought to have come from India, where the people there give thanks to the deity of the Ganges River by floating lanterns. In Thailand, the tradition of Loy Kratong was first celebrated in Sukhothai in the 14th century and has now become a national celebration during the full moon of the 12th month (in the Thai lunar Calendar), or in November to the rest of the world.

The kratongs are commonly made of Styrofoam or banana tree trunks and are about 10-12 inches in diameters (though some are made in a triangular shape). They’re decorated with flowers, incense, candles and other decorative items. Some people add a few coins as an offering to the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha. Others add a clipping of their fingernails and a few strands of their hair, symbolizing the letting go of all the negative aspects of their life. They’ll make a prayer to Lord Buddha, Phra Mae Kongkha, make a wish, and float the kratong away.

After the kratong and all the bad luck are sent off down the river, it’s down to get down and party! As the song goes “Loy loy kratong, loy kratong gun laew kor churn nong kaew ork ma lumwong..” which basically means “After you’ve floated your kratong, lets get down girl!” And that’s exactly what happens throughout the night of Loy Kratong, the mood is festive with parties and celebrations everywhere throughout the country.

If you’re in Bangkok, you can head over to the Chao Phraya River to float your kratong and watch the fireworks. There are many kratong vendors along the water so you don’t even have to make your own. After selecting your kratong, just bring it down to the water’s edge, close your eyes, make a wish and send it off to the water goddess. After feeling all peaceful and anew, it’s time for you to rack up more sins to let go of the next year! OK, just kidding about that, you should drink responsibly and be an exemplary tourist…seriously!    Have fun!
If you had the Xperience of Loy Kratong and would like to share it, please let us know!