PROGRAMME
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As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called Loi Krathong - the 'festival of lights". This is one of the Kingdom's oldest and best-preserved traditions.
The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways. The practice was subsequently adopted and adapted by common folk.
Krathong floats are made from basic materials easily found around the village and reflect the simplicity of life beyond the palace walls. They typically take the shape of lotus in full bloom, swans, chedis (stupas), and Mount Meru from Buddhist mythology. However krathong floats in the shape of lotus blossoms are most popular.
The sight of thousands of tiny candlelit floats drifting downstream is nowhere more spectacular than in Sukhothai, the first Thai capital, where this annual tradition originated. Watch dazzling firework displays, cultural performances, folk dances and a dramatic light and sound presentation.
Other activities include a Khantoke Thai-style set dinner, merit-making rituals in which sacred offerings are presented to 109 Buddhist monks, Buddhist sermons, demonstrations of textile weaving and the production of silver ornaments, and a specially staged traditional floating market, complete with food fair and folk games.
The Origins of Loi Krathong
There are various fascinating accounts about the origins of Loi Krathong. It is not known as to when the tradition first began but authorities speculate that it is of Indian origin and based on the "Deepavalee" ritual which is also accompanied by floating lights in an act of worship of the Brahmin gods - Brahma, Siva and Vishnu, or an act of remission to the Indian Ganga or Ganges. According to another school of thought, the ritual is said to be based on ancient Buddhist tales and is undertaken to pay respect to the sacred footprint of the Lord Buddha on the bank of the mythical Nammadhammahantee river.
However, given the river-based culture that formed the foundation of the traditional Thai way of life, Loi Krathong evolved into a ritual in which offerings are made to Mae Khongkha – Mother of Waters, the Thai equivalent of the Hindu goddess of water, in an expression of gratitude for providing life-sustaining water throughout the year. It is also believed that the offering are made in an act of appeasement to beg her forgiveness for Man's carelessness in polluting the pristine water that nourishes all life. Over time the tradition spread throughout the country.
Some believe that by setting the krathong adrift, one symbolically casts away one's grief, misery and ill-fortunes to the extent that there are bizarre tales of the superstitious placing tufts of hair or clipped finger-nail into the krathong in the hope of ridding themselves of a spell of bad luck or misfortune. Coins are also placed in the krathong as offerings.
For the romantic at heart and young couples, Loi Krathong is the time to make wishes for happiness together and success in love.
10 November
Monday |
05.30 |
The ‘Dawn of Happiness’ ritual is performed at the Ubosoth (ordination hall or Buddhist chapel where monks are ordained) of Wat Traphang Ngoen temple
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Religious Ceremony |
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Merit-making offerings are presented to Buddhist Monks |
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Blessing by Buddhist Monks |
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08.00 |
Traditional Ceremony to pay respect to Kings of Sukhothai period at King Rama, the Great Monument |
09.45 |
Sukhothai Loi Krathong Festival 2008
Official Opening Ceremony |
11.00 |
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Small Krathong Contest |
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Hoisted Lantern Contest |
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Floral Art Contest |
| At the King Rama The Great Monument |
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Tales of Sukhothai – Ancient folklore told in the local dialect
At the Cultural Stage |
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Drum Contest in front of Wat Chana Songkram |
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Competition of local sports such as Thai chess, krabi krabong – the traditional Thai art of self-defence, and Thai boxing at the folk sports courtyard in front of Wat Maha That |
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Demonstration of Sukhothai art at Lan Mak plaza, next to the King Rama The Great Monument |
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17.00 |
Thai musical performance
At Wat Chana Songkram, Wat Sa Si, the entrance gate of Sukhothai Historical Park, and the Main Gate of Wat Tra Phang Ngoen |
18.00 |
Khow Kwan Wan Len Fai
A traditional ceremony is performed at Wat Maha That temple |
19.00 |
Weaving Ceremony at the Cultural Stage |
19.30 |
Light-and-Sound performance at Wat Maha That temple |
21.00 |
Khon Performance
In the area behind Wat Chana Songkram |
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11 November
Tuesday |
09.00 |
Procession of Religious Offerings
At Wat Tra Phang Thong temple
The ritual presentation of textiles used for monk’s robes and other sacred Buddhist merit-making offerings are made at the ubosot (ordination hall or Buddhist chapel) of Wat Tra Phang Thong temple |
09.30 |
Procession of Prince Vessandara (pronounced Phra Wetsandorn) and characters from the Maha Chat Buddhist Tales
Setting off from San Pu Chao Pa Dam Shrine near the Cultural Stage
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10.00 |
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The Final Round of the Drum Contest in front of Wat Chana Songkram |
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The Final Round of Thai Chess Competition at the folk sports courtyard at Wat Maha That |
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Krabi krabong – the traditional Thai art of self-defence |
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Thai Boxing |
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Live demonstration and folk art and culture |
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Demonstration of Sukhothai art at Lan Mak plaza, next to the King Rama The Great Monument |
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17.00 |
Thai musical performance at Wat Chana Songkram, Wat Sa Si, the entrance gate of Sukhothai Historical Park, and the Main Gate of Wat Tra Phang Ngoen |
18.00 |
Khao Kwan Wan Len Fai
A traditional ceremony is performed at Wat Maha That temple. |
19.00 |
Royal Candle and Krathong Procession
In front of the Sukhothai Municipality Administration Office |
19.30 hrs. |
Light-and-Sound performance at Wat Maha That temple |
21.00 hrs. |
Khon Performance
In the area behind Wat Chana Songkram |
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12 November
Wednesday |
08.00 |
The Royal Candle and Krathong Procession proceeds along the city streets. |
10.00 |
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Tales of Sukhothai – Ancient folklore told in the local dialect
At the Cultural Stage |
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Competition of local sports such as krabi krabong – the traditional Thai art of self-defence, and Thai boxing at the folk sports courtyard in front of Wat Maha That |
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Live demonstration and folk art and culture |
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Demonstration of Sukhothai art at Lan Mak plaza, next to the King Rama The Great Monument |
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13.45 |
The Royal Candle and Krathong Procession and the traditional cultural procession of the nine Amphoe (districts)
This is a colourful procession of giant krathong floats, small krathong floats, lanterns, floral decorations, Nang Nophamas (Miss Noppamas) and Young Miss Noppamas parade, honouring Noppamas, a Thai lady who is said to have invented the traditional krathong float and after whom the beauty contest and parades are named, and Drum Procession. The Chairman greets the procession at Phang Trakuan.
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17.00 |
Thai musical performance at Wat Chana Songkram, Wat Sa Si, the entrance gate of Sukhothai Historical Park, and the Main Gate of Wat Tra Phang Ngoen |
17.30 |
The Award Presentation Ceremony for the winners of the krathong contest, the hoisted lanterns contest, the floral art contest, and Miss Noppamas beauty contest |
18.00 |
Khao Kwan Wan Len Fai
A traditional ceremony is performed at Wat Maha That temple. |
19.30 |
Light-and-Sound performance at Wat Maha That temple |
20.30 hrs. |
Aab Nam Peng bathing ritual to mark the end of the rainy season
At the King Rama The Great Monument |
21.00 |
The recital of verses from Sakawa poems
By the pond of Wat Sa Si (Wat Traphang Guan)
Sakawa is a refined court version of boat songs in which men and women exchanged impromptu verses sung in a courting dialogue. It also refers to a game in which the players recite poetry in spontaneous rhymes. |
21.30 |
Candle-Lighting Ceremony
At the King Rama The Great Monument |
21.50 |
Presentation of Tao Si Julalak Thai Mythology |
22.15 |
Live broadcast of the Sukhothai Loi Krathong celebrations on Thai TV channel 9 MCOT
The royal candle and krathong to be set adrift by the chariman at the pond at Wat Sa Si (Tra Phang Tra Kuan) temple
Fireworks display by the pond of Wat Sa Si (Tra Phang Tra Kuan) |
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RESERVATIONS
KINGDOM OF SUKHOTHAI LIGHT-AND-SOUND PRESENTATION
Please contact the Sukhothai provincial office
Tel: +66 (0) 5561 1619
Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sukhothai Office
Areas of responsibility: Kamphaengphet, Sukhothai
Tel: +66 (0) 5561 1196
Fax: +66 (0) 5561 1196
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