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The Yipeng Northern Lantern Festival is a breathtaking regional variation of the ‘festival of lights’ – a spell-binding ritual in which hundreds of thousands of candle-lit krathong or ornately-decorated traditional floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways.
Descendants of the T’ai settlers who made their second home in the ancient northern kingdom of Lanna Thai (present-day Northern Thailand) continue to celebrate the Yi-peng Northern Lantern Festival.
This is an ancient folk festival held during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November). The festival reflects the cultural evolution of the Northern Thai kingdom and the convergence of ritual symbolism and Lanna Thai Buddhist tradition.
Tubular lanterns resembling hot air balloons called khome loi are lit and released into the night sky as an offering to Lord Buddha. It is also believed that by setting the khome loi adrift, one symbolically casts away grief, misery and ill-fortunes.
As hundreds of illuminated lanterns drift into infinity, this conjures the same sense of wistful closure as the krathong float downstream.
Traditional krathong floats are also set adrift in rivers, canals, waterways, lakes and ponds. In addition, there are various other forms of entertainment and beauty pageants.
PROGRAMME
November 12
| 09.00 – 22.00 |
Shop for local products from the sub-districts (tambon) promoted under the One Tambon One Product campaign at the OTOP Fair held at Suan Somdejya Park |
| 17.00 |
Traditional Lantern Procession starts out from Lan Nong Rabu
Traditional Boat Procession starts out from Ban Rong Hai |
| 18.00 – 19.30 |
The procession starts out from Lan Nong Rabu and proceeds past Talat Phayao market and along Chai Kwan Phaya Road to its final destination at the west end of Khwan Phayao lake and the Phor Khun Ngam Muang memorial. |
| 19.30 |
Both processions arrive at the Phor Khun Ngam Muang memorial. |
| 20.00 – 20.30 |
Khwan Phayao Yi-Peng Lantern Festival opening ceremony at the main stage, Sala Muen Pee pavilion |
| 21.00 – 22.00 |
Yingyot Ku Fah Muang Phayao Light-and-sound presentation
Krathong floats are set adrift on the lake and Yi-peng lanterns are lit and released into the night sky from sites along the shores of Khwan Phayao lake. |
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November 14
| 09.00 – 22.00 |
Shop for local products at the OTOP Fair at Suan Somdejya Park |
| 20.30 – 22.00 |
Lanna puppet performance |
| 22.00 – 23.00 |
Cultural performances
Krathong floats are set adrift on the lake and Yi-peng lanterns are lit and released into the night sky from sites along the shores of Khwan Phayao lake. |
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November 15
| 09.00 – 22.00 |
Shop for local products at the OTOP Fair at Suan Somdejya Park |
| 20.30 – 21.30 |
Cultural performances (traditional and contemporary shows) |
| 21.30 – 23.00 |
Acappela Big Bana concert by Lanna artists
Krathong floats are set adrift on the lake and Yi-peng lanterns are lit and released into the night sky from sites along the shores of Khwan Phayao lake. |
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November 16
| 09.00 – 22.00 |
Shop for local products at the OTOP Fair at Suan Somdejya Park |
| 20.30 – 23.00 |
Musical performances by a symphony orchestra and
Light-and-sound presentation
Krathong floats are set adrift on the lake and Yi-peng lanterns are lit and released into the night sky from sites along the shores of Khwan Phayao lake.
Prathu Pa contest
Small krathong contest |
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November 17
| 09.00 – 22.00 |
Shop for local products at the OTOP Fair at Suan Somdejya Park |
| 17.00 |
Traditional Krathong Procession starts out from Lan Nong Rabu |
| 17.00 – 20.30 |
Giant Krathong Procession |
| 20.30 – 23.00 |
Nang Noppamas Beauty Queen contest
on the Main Stage of Sala Muenpee pavilion
Krathong floats are set adrift on the lake and Yi-peng lanterns are lit and released into the night sky from sites along the shores of Khwan Phayao lake. |
Contact information:
TAT Northern Office – Region 2
Areas of responsibility: Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae and Nan
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 7433
Fax: +66 (0) 5371 7434
E-mail: tatchrai@tat.or.th |
