The unusual ritual of launching Lanna-style floating lanterns (khome loi or khome yi-peng) 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.

'Yi-peng' literally means the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month and the Chiang Mai 'Yi-peng' 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.

	Yi-peng Lantern Procession
	Yi-peng Khome Loi (floating lantern) contest
	Banana-leaf krathong and floral art contest
	Presentations of Lanna art and culture
	Krathong and Krathong Yai contests
	The Royal Trophy Giant krathong procession
	Water sports such as rafting contests, boating contest on the Mae Ping River
	The release of Lanna-style Yi-peng floating lanterns into the night sky – a gesture to pay homage to Phra That Chulamanee
	Stage dramas
	Light-and-sound performance on the Mae Ping River
	Fireworks display presented as a Buddhist merit-making offering
	Loi Krathong on the Mae Ping River Krathong floats are set adrift on the river.

	Procession of Yi-peng lanterns and Yi-peng lantern contest
	Young Miss Yi-peng and Miss Yi-Peng beauty contest
	An exhibition on ‘The Legend of Khome Loi Floating Lanterns: Keeping the Tradition Alive’
	Folk song contest and popular Thai songs

Other activities during the festiva willl include live demonstrations of traditional Lanna Thai crafts including the production of silver ornaments and lacquerware (kreuang koen), and Lanna folk performances.

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