PROGRAMME
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Event Highlights
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Yipeng lantern procession |
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Lanna Thai cultural presentations and performances |
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Bamboo raft races and boat races on the Mae Ping River |
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The release of Lanna-style floating lanterns |
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Krathong contests |
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Loi Krathong on the Mae Ping River |
The unusual ritual of launching Lanna-style floating lanterns (khome loi or khome yipeng) is a unique aspect of the Chiang Mai Loi Krathong festival. Traditional belief has it that when these huge lanterns are set adrift and float away, so do the troubles of the residents in the community.
'Yipeng' literally means the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month and the Chiang Mai 'Yipeng' and 'Loi Krathong', the Festival of Lights is organised annually by the Chiang Mai Municipality. During the festival, the entire city of Chiang Mai, its houses, streets, canals, moats and the river are decorated with lights and beautiful lanterns, making these festivities, a most beautiful and memorable experience for visitors.
The practice of setting adrift traditional krathong floats in rivers, canals, waterways, lakes and ponds is also observed by the residents of Northern Thailand. While traditional krathong were made exclusively from banana leaves, today the krathong come in all shapes and sizes and are made from a broad range of materials. Following the contest, the krathong are set afloat on the Mae Ping River.
The final night of the celebration is the most important. A procession of spectacular "Krathong Yai" or giant krathong floats will wing their way through the streets of the northern capital. The giant krathong feature elaborate decorations depicting the story of the life of the Lord Buddha, Thai literature, history and Thai art.
Many other activities of interest will also be organised ranging from Krathong contests, Lanna Thai cultural presentations and folk performances, bamboo raft races and boat races on the Mae Ping River and fireworks.
PROGRAMME
| 10 November |
18.00 – 19.00 |
Chiang Mai Yi-Peng Festival 2008 Official Opening Ceremony at the Three Kings Monument |
18.00 – 24.00 |
Yi-Peng Lantern display to pay tribute to His Majesty the King at Tha Pae Gate
Kid’s Yi-Peng Contest at the Three Kings Monument |
10 – 13 November |
09.00 – 22.00 |
Legend of the Yi-Peng Lantern Exhibition
At Wat Inthakin |
Throughout the day |
Front Door Decoration Contest
At all temples in Chiang Mai |
17.00 – 21.30 |
Local Food Square at Ratchwithi Road |
18.00 – 21.30 |
Lanna Musical Performance at the Three Kings Monument |
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| 11 November |
18.00 – 24.00 |
Miss Yi-Peng Beauty Contest at the Three Kings Monument |
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17th Yi-Peng Lantern Parade
At Tha Pae Gate, Wat Sidonchai |
11 – 13 November |
08.00 – 22.00 |
Folk Art of Six Ethnic Races, Maze, Kids Beauty Contest
Preaching of Mahachat
At Wat Jed Lin
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09.00 – 24.00 |
Srimangkala Yee Peng Preservation Community
At Buddha Sathan
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| 12 November |
07.00 – 10.00 |
Rituals are performed to pay respect to the spirit house and the white pagoda. |
09.00 – 17.00 |
Folk water sports contests such as bamboo rafting, diving and enamel basin races
In the Ping River in front of the Municipal Office
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09.00 – 12.00 |
Khom Loi Floating Lantern Contest
At the Chiang Mai Municipality Office
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09.00 – 19.00 |
Handcrafted Krathong Contest
At the Chiang Mai Municipality Office
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18.00 – 24.00 |
Small Krathong Parade Contest
Tha Pae Gate to the Municipal Office
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12 – 13 November |
19.00 – 21.00 |
Traditional Loi Krathong celebrations organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
In front of the Governor’s Residence
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19.00 – 24.00 |
Fireworks display presented as a Buddhist ritual offering
(Buddha Bucha)
Lanna-style krathong floats are set adrift.
Along the banks of the Ping River in front of the Municipal Office
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13 November |
18.00 – 23.00 |
The Conservation of Traditional Yi-Peng Folk Wisdom
At Wat Mueang Saat Noi
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18.00 – 24.00 |
Giant Krathong Parade Contest
Tha Pae Gate to the Municipal Office
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| OTHER ACTIVITIES |
6 – 13 November
All day
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Yi-Peng Photo Contest 2008
At the Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Centre
Results of the 2007 Yi-Peng Photo Contest will be on display and winners of the 2008 contest will be announced within three weeks. |
9 – 11 November
09.00 – 22.00
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Preaching of Traditional Dhamma
Rice Merit-making Ritual
At Wat Lok Mo Lee
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Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai Office
Areas of responsibility: Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun
Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, (0) 5324 8607
Fax: +66 (0) 5324 8605
E-mail: tatchmai@tat.or.th
Web site : www.tatchiangmai.org
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