Loi krathong

“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.
The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.
This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Rama VIII Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.
As for the public, people usually make banana-leaf cups to float them onto the river although there exist some uniquely different aspects in certain communities. For example, the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, during which balloon-like ‘Khom Loi' lanterns including the ‘Khom Fai' – a fire lantern – and ‘Khom Khwan' – a smoke lantern – are flown into the sky as a symbol of worship to Phrathat Chulamani in heaven. Making a Khom Loi will need a lot of artistic skills as well as scientific techniques, just like the ones used in making a balloon. Tracing paper or Sa paper is used to make air bags of various shapes. It is believed that flying a Khom Loi is like flying grief and ill fortune away from ourselves or our home. In Tak province, the Loi Krathong Sai Festival is celebrated, which reflects the unity of the local people. Groups of people gather at the river banks, each bringing along thousands of Krathong made fro m coconut shells with dried wicks made from coconut flesh anointed with oil or ash for their inflammable as well as durable quality. There, they sing and dance with merriment. The span of the Ping River that passes by the provincial city of Tak is not deeper than one's waist, with underwater sand bars curving into different shapes, forcing the current to meander. When the lit Krathongs are floated onto the right current, one after another, they would meander along and make a beautiful and twinkling curving line, or Sai in Thai, amid the darkness of the night. The famous Loi Krathong and Candle Festival in Sukhothai province features a procession of offerings, including Phanom Mak – the betel offering – and Phanom Dok Mai – the floral offering – carried by beautiful girls, as well as banana-leaf floats accompanied by the so-called Nang Nopphamat beauty queens. The Phanom Mak and Phanom Dok Mai offerings are for the homage paying rite at King Ramkhamhaeng the Great's monument in the heart of the ancient city of Sukhothai. After that, people as well as visitors gather and float the Krathongs together on ponds, known as Traphang, inside the ancient city. The bright candle light from the floated Krathongs and the cool breeze of November together lends a pleasant atmosphere for all participants. Besides the well-known Loi Krathong Festival, there is another tradition that is based on a similar belief but is celebrated on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month. Known as the Illuminated Boat Procession , the celebration takes place in the Northeastern provinces of Thailand that is located on the Mekong River. Illuminated boats of approximately 10 – 12 metres long are made from banana stalks or bamboo by villagers. The boats contain sweets, the so-called Khao Tom Mat – stuffed fried sticky rice – and objects to be donated inside, while decorated with flowers, incense sticks, candles, lamps and tinder outside. At present, the boats are created into various shapes such as important places or mythical creatures, which lend a bright and breathtaking sight when the boats illuminated by thousands of lamps are floated onto the river.

Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Krungthon Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.



“Colorful Water – Loi Krathong Great Festival”
Tassana Pirom Yard, at Naval Assembly, Royal Thai Navy, BKK Only 999 tourists per day available with only 1,200 baht ticket. Reservation : Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext. 2115-7


“The Stream of Respects of Four Religions under the His Royal Prestige”
Waterway Tour 18.30 Please gather at Tha Chang Pier, register, receive brochure and gift
19.00 Arrive “Suwannaram” Temple to wondrously watch the great famous murals, worship the Buddha, the sacred biggest Buddha of the temple, watch horse riding to make a votive offerings, taste “Bua Loi” – one legend of sweet of Bangkoknoi Canal.
19.45 Arrive “Al Sori Shunnoah” the royal mosque constructed from personal fund of the 5th Reign King, see royal Stone Inscription, listen the story of Muslim culture, see and taste Samosa cooking served with hot tea in Muslim cultural style.
20.30 Visit “Santa Cruse” the neo-classic architecture and listen to the Catholic culture, taste sweet (Khanom Fa-rang”) of China Church which was very popular and famous for more than 200 years consecutively.
21.00 Heading to “Tekke Jee Jeen Koah Moral Propagation Welfare Association” to visit applied Chinese and ancient Chinese architecture, worship the Buddha’s relics and other Great Teachers of several faiths, listen the story about “Mahayan” Buddhism, Tao, Confucius, observe and taste sweets in several festival and Chinese mixed candy
22.00 Return Tha Chang pier.
Remarks: Only 1 session per day and all schedules may be changed in case of there is any problem about water level.
For more information : Tel. 0 2623 5340, 0 2221 2297, 0 2225 6179




Colorful Water – Loi krathong Great Festival
1-5 November 2006
Date: 2-5 November 2006
Venue: Banks of the Chao Phraya River (Taksin Bridge – Krungthon Bridge), Bangkok
Activities: Free! See the lightings-decorated ship procession to celebrate 60 years accession on throne and Loi Krathong ship processions for more than 1,500,000 baht rewards between 2-5 November 2006, at 19.30 – 22.00 hours along both sides of Chao Phraya River, Taksin Bridge to Krung Thon Bridge, Bangkok Metropolis.

Electric-decorated ship procession under the concept of:-

“To unite all hearts as one to worship Por Luang”

1.Loi Krathong Krung Ratanakosin

2.Ship’s name: “Yi-peng – Royal Flora Ratchaphruek”

3. Loi Krathong and Candle Festival

4. Loi Krathong Sai Festival

5. Loi Krathong Tam Prathip

6. Celebrate his majesty the king 60th year accession on the throne

7. Singing in Harmony for the King Bhumibol

8.The rememorize the prosperity of Sukhothai to worship Por Luang

9.The Light of Siamese

10.“60 years accession on throne celebration – the Father of Technology of Thailand”

11.The publics all have widely acclaimed

12. Phra Maha Chanok

13. To sincerely admire our Great King

14. Chaipattana Boat

15. Royal Song Boat

16.The Center of all Thais’ hearts.

17.The great Lord, Holy and Heaven

18.“Water energy, life energy to devote our spiritual hearts the my beloved King”

19. Por Luang is our heart

20. King of Hearts

Experience very special of Loi Krathong in Ratanakosin style between 3-4 November 2006, at 18.30 – 21.30 hours on the Thasana Phirom yard in front of Naval Conference Hall, Bangkok Metropolis. Watch the electric-decorated ship procession in the best view of point, imbue with art and cultural shows in Loi Krathong among Ratanakosin atmosphere of rare “Brahman Lantern Procession” which is meticulously selected for VIP guests, enjoy eating with international foods and special menus, get gift and other interested activities. Limited only for 999 tourists per day. The ticket is only 1,200 baht.

Additional inquiry and booking please call

0 2250 5500 Ext 2115-7

Experience tourism scent to follow his royal guests

Waterway tour to follow his royal guests to watch colorfulness of Chao Phraya River in the night with Thai Ship Association, Restaurants, Hotels along both sides of Chao Phraya River with very special programs throughout November 2006.