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.
PROGRAMME
Please click to view
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.
For more about Loi Krathong, please click to view
 Hope Floats
PROGRAMME
November 11
| 06.00 |
Dawn of Happiness ceremony |
| 07.30 |
Ceremony to pay homage to Phra Mae Ya |
| 08.30 |
Ceremony to pay homage to King Ramkhamhaeng the Great |
| 09.00 |
Traditional floating market |
| 10.00 |
Krathong Competition |
| 15.30 |
Thai classical music performance |
| 18.00 |
Local sport competition |
| 19.00 |
Lanterns Contests |
| 20.00 |
Kingdom of Sukhothai Light-and-sound presentation |
| 23.00 |
Sukhothai traditional fireworks presentation
Traditional boat song performance |
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November 12
| 06.00 |
Dawn of Happiness ceremony |
| 09.00 |
Traditional floating market |
| 10.00 |
Local souvenirs exhibition |
| 13.00 |
Activities to promote Buddhist traditions |
| 15.00 |
Loi Krathong Festival opening ceremony with fireworks |
| 15.15 |
Krathong Procession
with krathong floats from the 17 northern provinces of Thailand |
| 18.00 |
Khao Khawn Wan Len Fai dinner |
| 19.00 |
Local sport competition
Nang Noppamas Beauty Queen Contest (preliminary round) |
| 20.00 |
Kingdom of Sukhothai Light-and-sound presentation (in English) |
| 23.30 |
Sukhothai traditional fireworks presentation
Traditional boat song performance |
| |
|
November 13
| 06.00 |
Dawn of Happiness ceremony |
| 07.30 |
Activities to promote Buddhist traditions |
| 08.00 |
Buddhist traditions |
| 09.00 |
Traditional floating market |
| 10.00 |
Local souvenirs exhibition |
| 15.00 |
Krathong Procession |
| 19.00 |
Local sports competition
Nang Noppamas Beauty Queen Contest (preliminary round) |
| 20.00 |
Kingdom of Sukhothai Light-and-sound presentation |
| 23.00 |
Sukhothai traditional fireworks presentation
Traditional boat song performance |
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November 14, November 15
| 06.00 |
Dawn of Happiness ceremony |
| 09.00 |
Traditional floating market |
| 10.00 |
Activities to promote Buddhist traditions |
| 15.30 |
Thai classical music performance |
| 19.00 |
Local sports competition |
| 20.00 |
Kingdom of Sukhothai Light-and-sound presentation |
| 23.00 |
Sukhothai traditional fireworks presentation
Traditional boat song performance |
| |
|
November 16
| 06.00 |
Dawn of Happiness ceremony |
| 07.30 |
Activities to promote Buddhist traditions |
| 08.00 |
Buddhist traditions |
| 09.00 |
Traditional floating market |
| 10.00 |
Local souvenirs exhibition |
| 14.00 |
Ceremony for receiving royal candles and krathong |
| 15.00 |
Krathong Procession
Parade of the five districts of Sukhothai province |
| 18.00 |
Khao Khawn Wan Len Fai dinner |
| 19.00 |
Local sports competition |
| 20.00 |
Kingdom of Sukhothai Light-and-sound presentation |
| 22.30 |
Candle-lighting ceremony |
| 23.00 |
Sukhothai traditional fireworks presentation
Traditional boat song performance |
| 23.30 |
Candle-lighting ceremony
The Royal Krathong floating ceremony |
| 24.00 |
Sukhothai traditional fireworks presentation
Traditional boat song performance |
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 by the nine districts of Sukhothai at the Cultural Plaza, and a traditional floating market with food fair and folk games.
RESERVATIONS
KINGDOM OF SUKHOTHAI LIGHT-AND-SOUND PRESENTATION
Please contact the Sukhothai provincial office
Tel: 0 5561 1619
Contact information:
TAT Northern Office – Region 3
Areas of responsibility: Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai and Uttaradit
Tel: +66 (0) 5525 2742-3, (0) 5525 9907
Fax: +66 (0) 5523 1063
E-mail: tatphlok@tat.or.th
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