Loy Krathong Festival in Sukhothai & Chiang Mai's Yi Peng Festival
Loy Krathong is a traditional festival in Thailand and involves releasing floating lanterns named krathongs into rivers and waterways to honor the water goddess and Buddha.
Sukhothai is one of the best places to experience the festival because it is the birthplace and holds the most prominent celebration, lasting several days and nights.
The meaning of Loi Krathong in Thailand
'Loi' or 'Loy' means to float, and a 'Krathong' is a tiny raft, float, or basket.
Traditionally, Thai people will take a small strand of their hair, a clipping of their fingernails, and some coins and place them atop the Krathong.
Thai people light candles and incense and make a wish before pushing the Krathong into the river.
'Krathong' is a tiny raft, float, or basket.
The Origins of the Loy Krathong Festival in Sukhothai, Thailand
According to written history, the Loi Krathong Festival originated in Sukhothai. The written account states that during the 14th century, a stately lady called Nang Noppamas, a companion of the King of Sukhothai created the first decorated Krathong and presented it as a gift for the King.
Noppamas is described as the daughter of a Brahman priest. The written account details her adapting an ancient Brahman tradition by sculpting banana leaves into the shape of a lotus flower and placing a candle and incense sticks atop her creation.
Noppamas presented it to the King, who lit the candle and the incense sticks and floated the Krathong on one of the many waterways that encircled the city of Sukhothai. Thai people consider this ancient account of Noppamas and the King a very romantic tale, and Loi Krathong is a much-loved festival among the Thai people.
Even today, the story of Noppamas is revered and remembered by provinces holding Noppamas Beauty Queen Competitions, whereby local females adorn traditional Thai Costumes and partake in a beauty pageant-style contest.
Materials Used to make Krathongs in Thailand
Traditionally, Krathongs were only made using natural materials, including banana leaves, the trunk of the banana plant, and flowers. However, in modern times, some plastics and polystyrene have been used.
Most Thai people have made a Krathong at least once in their life. However, nowadays, most people don't make them; they buy them.
On the festival's first day, Krathong sellers set up tables close to the rivers and other waterways and sell their handmade Krathongs for a small amount.
The price of Krathongs usually is 40 to 100THB. Children in schools across Thailand will have special activities, and students typically make a Krathong at school to float in the river with their families.
When is Loy Krathong 2022 in Sukhothai?
The date of Loy Krathong changes each year based on the Thai lunar calendar. However, it typically occurs towards the end of October and early November.
This year (2022), the precise date of Loy Krathong Night is the 8th of November. However, there will be ten whole days of events in Sukhothai from the 29th of October until the grand finale on the 8th of October 2022.
Top Loy Krathong Events and Activities in Sukhothai
As the celebrations of Loy Krathong 2022 in Sukhothai last ten days, you can partake in various events and activities.
Some of the main events include:
Fireworks,
Folk dancing
Floating traditional lanterns
Street Parades
Noppamas Beauty Show
Breathtaking Fireworks, Light, and Sound Show
Video Cr: Sukhothai Magazine-Loy Krathong Festival in The Sukhothai Historical Park.
The Light and Sound Show-Sukhothai
The Light and Sound Show highlights Sukhothai's Loy Krathong celebrations. The show transpires in front of the stunning 800-year-old Mahatha Temple courtyard.
More than 200 talented student actors and dancers from the Sukhothai Dramatic Arts College and Udom Darunee High School perform a show founded on the history of Sukhothai and the parable of Loy Krathong.
The celebration at night illuminates the Historical Park with its Light Projection onto the historical architecture. The performance is in the Thai language.
However, English Teachers from around Sukhothai are utilized to translate the show for tourists.
The show climaxes with a stunning fireworks display in the sky above the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Sukhothai Historical Park.
Loy Krathong Street Parades
During the street parades, local Thai people from all the various districts of Sukhothai Province dress in their traditional attire and walk alongside giant floats and dancers. Also, the Miss Noppama contestants, historical figures, and musicians partake in the parade.
Loy Krathong Contests
During the ten-day celebration, there are various contests, including the Noppamas beauty contest, dancing contests, singing contests, and a contest for the most beautiful Krathong.
Live Performances during Loy Krathong
During the ten days, there are various live stages set up around the historical park:
Live Music
Muay Thai Performances (Thai Boxing)
Thai Dance
Thai Puppet Shows
Sukhothai Traditional Thai Village Market
The Traditional Thai Village Market is arranged as an ancient Thai market from 800 years ago, with sellers of traditional food and handy crafts dressed in traditional Thai clothes.
Build and Float A Krathong
Krathong-making classes are set up around the historical park for people to learn how to build a traditional Krathong. Then, you can float your Krathong in one of the many lotus lakes.
Traditionally, floating a Krathong signifies casting all the negative energy you've accumulated over the prior year. Thai people also believe that Krathongs honor the Water Goddess and Buddha.
Reasons to Celebrate Loy Krathong in Sukhothai
Sukhothai holds the most prominent celebration of the Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand as it is the birthplace of The Loy Krathong Festival, with multiple events lasting for ten days.
You'll get the most authentic Loy Krathong experience. Sukhothai is the home of Loy Krathong, and the local Sukhothai Government officials maintain tradition; therefore, the celebration is held in the most authentic manner possible.
Location & the Ancient Monuments
All the stunning temples and monuments of Sukhothai Historical Park are the remnants of the first-ever capital city of unified Siam (modern-day Thailand). Together, they make a gorgeous 800-year-old setting for floating lanterns and artistic performances.
Chiang Mai's Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Yi Peng (sometimes called Yee Peng) is the sky lantern festival, another famous floating lantern festival that usually coincides with Loy Krathong Festival. It is a unique festival only celebrated in northern Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai.
Yi Peng Festival Dates 2022
The date of the Yi Peng Festival is found on the Lanna Lunar Calendar. Chiang Mai's Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival will occur from the 8th until the 9th of November 2022.
Image Cr: Sukhothai Magazine and Narongchai Sriarunniran
Loy Krathong Festival of Lights FAQ
Why is Loy Krathong celebrated?
Loy Krathong was founded 800 years ago in the ancient Capital City of the unified Siam (modern-day Thailand), The Kingdom of Sukhothai. It is a celebration for paying tribute and thanking the water goddess, which Thai people believe can help release negative energy and welcome prosperity for the coming year.
When is Loy Krathong?
Loy Krathong celebrations usually take place in late October to early November. The date of the Loy Krathong Festival varies yearly due to the Thai lunar calendar.
Where can I celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival?
Loy Krathong is celebrated in all Thai provinces and Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar & Laos. The festivities of the Loy Krathong Festival take place at night. Loy Krathong Festivals can be enjoyed anywhere from Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Nan, Phuket, and Bangkok.
Tell me the best place in Thailand to celebrate Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong events are held across the country; however, the two central provinces are Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. Sukhothai for the Light and Sound Show, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Sukhothai Historical Park. Chiang Mai differs from other areas of Thailand due to the Yi Ping Sky Lantern Festival and the Water rafts.
Phuket-Loy Krathong Festival on the Beach
Phuket is the ideal destination for those who want to experience Loy Krathong and enjoy the beach. Loy Krathong festival is an incredibly easygoing event in Thailand. Frequently, resorts and hotels offer Krathong-making classes and have an area for people to float the hand-made Krathong in the Ocean at night.
Bangkok- Loy Krathong Festival at the Mighty Chao Phraya River
There are various events across Bangkok at riverside department stores, temples, restaurants, river dinner cruise boats, hotels, and resorts. Wat Saket is a famous temple where Thai people celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival and float a Krathong.
Chiang Mai: Yi Peng & Loy Krathong Festival
Chiang Mai is a large province in northern Thailand and is a fantastic choice for celebrating the Loy Krathong Festival. Furthermore, Chiang Mai hosts another stunning festival named Yi Peng Festival (Floating Sky Lantern Festival). Loy Krathong and Yee Peng are on the 8th and 9th of October 2022. The floating lanterns of Loy Krathong can be seen on the river, and the Yi Peng flying sky lanterns fill the night skies. Chiang Mai becomes a dazzling scene that can be compared to a fairy tale. These two festivals are genuinely one of the best adventures you can have.
Relevant
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/october-semester-break to learn about the beautiful places in the north of Thailand to visit during the October school holiday.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-food to read about delicious Thai culinary delights.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/teacher-training-program-thailand to read about Meaningful Work and Travel Teaching Positions starting in May 2023 with teacher training in April 2023.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/lantern-festival-loy-krathong-lamphun-thailand to read about Teacher Olga’s experience in Lamphun Province Thailand during Loy Krathong Festival 2022.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/loi-krathong-festival-2020 to read about Thailand’s Loy Krathong Festival in 2020.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/the-thai-school-calendar to read about Thailand's school year and how it differs from most other countries.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/introduction-to-thailand-part-2 to read the second installment of our Introduction to Thailand series.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/the-complete-guide-to-the-thai-alphabet to read a detailed guide to the Thai language and the Thai Alphabet.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/songkran-festival-in-thailand to read about Thailand’s wildest festival, the Songkran Festival, the world's giant water fight.
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