Loy Krathong Festival

Every year in November, Thailand celebrates Loy Krathong festival, which is a festival of lights to thank the water gods. Thai people have explained to me that water is such an important part of everyday life- this festival is a way to give back to the Gods of Water and express the appreciation for water in Thailand. Different regions celebrate this festival with varying traditions. The most famous tradition is the floating lanterns being released into the sky in Chiang Mai. Unfortunately, Chiang Mai is too far away from Salaya for a day trip, so Alexis and I couldn't attend that festival, but we were pleased to discover that the University and the park located in our town were both holding ceremonies for the celebration.

We attended the festival with the 3 Thai University students who are serving as teachers' aids this semester at our school and observing how to teach. Their names are Eye, Som, and Ice and it was a great bonding experience to celebrate the festival with local Thai teenagers. We started at the celebration at Mahidol University, where there were fireworks and a competition similar to "Miss America" but the contestants were all dressed in traditional Thai costume. The University was celebrating Loy Krathong with the banana leaf lanterns that float in the water. The lanterns were very beautiful- all hand made and decorate with flowers and candles, but my eyes kept looking to the sky- hoping to see some floating lanterns. Alexis and I have been dying to see these lanterns for months, and lucky for us- we were able to experience the peaceful beauty of the floating lanterns.


At the local park, Phra Phutthamonthon, they were selling the floating lanterns and people were releasing them into the sky. Ice explained to me that its a way of releasing your sins and asking for forgiveness. As a group, we bought 4 lanterns and watching them float through the sky was one of the most simple, yet truly beautiful things I have ever seen. Eye said to me, "In my dreams, this is heaven." It was really amazing to share this cultural festival with Thai people and I am so grateful that I was able to participate. After we released our floating paper lanterns, we also purchased our own banana leaf lanterns and released them into the river. Overall, it was truly an amazing night and one that I will remember for a long time. Sometimes the most simple things have the biggest impression and the simplicity and peacefulness of this festival is by far my favorite experience that I have had in Thailand to date.

 Blurry- it was very difficult to capture the lanterns but it was so beautiful seeing them across the sky

 Alexis and I with our banana leaf lanterns to release into the river !

 My river lantern

 Floating lanterns in the sky and on the river. Reminded me of the floating lights in tangled :) 

 Lanterns on the river

 Releasing our floating lantern !