The Sukhothai Loi Krathong celebration is in itself a magnificent showcase of Thai art and culture, including a presentation of Thai performing arts, music, song and dance, complete with a Thai-style khantoke set dinner. The evening culminates in a display of traditional Thai fireworks and ends with Krathong floats being set adrift in pools and ponds within the Sukhothai Historical Park.

	Greeting the Dawn of Happiness The Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival begins with the Phra Mae Ya invocation ritual and a ritual to pay homage to King Ramkamhaeng The Great and the ancient kings of Sukhothai.
	A procession of the royally-bestowed krathong float along the city streets
	A land-borne procession of “kathin” robes to be presented as Buddhist merit-making offerings in accordance with ancient traditions
	Prince Vessandara procession depicting Buddhist folk tales
	Nam Peng ritual bathing
	Krathong and Krathong Yai contests
	Traditional lantern contest feature Khome Chak and Khome Kwan (hoisted lanterns)
	Cultural procession of the nine districts of Sukhothai province
	A Sukhothai period demonstration village
	An exhibition featuring Buddhist art in the Sukhothai style
	‘Kingdom of Sukhothai’ Light-and-sound performances
	Performing arts of the four regions of Thailand
	Khon masked dance performance
	Thai music
	Storytellers recount folktales.
	Live demonstrations of folk sports, such as traditional Thai kite-flying and the traditional art of self-defence such as krabee krabong and muay kaat chuek Thai boxing
	Witness the lantern lighting and hoisting ritual followed by the release of the royally-bestowed krathong
	Khantoke — a traditional Thai-style set dinner
	Traditional Thai fireworks display
	Krathong floats are set adrift in pools and ponds within the Sukhothai Historical Park.

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.

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sukhothai Office
Areas of responsibility: Kamphaengphet, Sukhothai
Tel: +66 (0) 5561 1196
Fax: +66 (0) 5561 1196