Loy Krathong is one of Thailand's most enchanting festivals, celebrated annually on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. During this magical evening, Thais gather around rivers, canals, and lakes to release small floating baskets (krathongs) made from banana leaves, decorated with flowers, candles, and incense. These illuminated offerings drift away on water, symbolizing the letting go of anger, grudges, and negative emotions. The ritual also pays homage to the water goddess Phra Mae Khongkha, thanking her for the use of water throughout the year.
The celebration varies across different regions of Thailand, with northern provinces like Chiang Mai simultaneously celebrating Yi Peng, where thousands of paper lanterns are released into the night sky. In Bangkok and central Thailand, major waterways like the Chao Phraya River transform into rivers of light as countless krathongs float on the water's surface. Many Thais believe that if a couple releases their krathong together and it stays afloat, their love will endure, adding a romantic element to this beautiful cultural tradition. Shutdown123