Loy Krathong is celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month by southwestern Tai cultures including Thailand, Laos, Shan, Mon, Tanintharyi, Kelantan, Kedah and Xishuangbanna. This year, 2019, it is on Monday November 11th. During this festival, small baskets are floated on rivers to pay respect to the water spirits or the Hindu Goddess Ganga and symbolizes the release from hatred, anger, and other thoughts or emotions that prevent happiness.
A mural of Goddess Ganga in Varanasi, India (Image from the 180books.org Photo Collection by George Edward Giunca)
Krathong ~ กระทง
The Krathongs were traditionally made from slices of banana tree trunks and decorated with folded banana leaves. For a brief time, the floats were made from styrofoam before eco-awareness lead to a construction of other materials. Today Krathongs are made from easily sourced and biodegradable materials such as coconut and corn husks and even baked bread dough. This year our krathong was bought from the local market as shown and described below.
Our peacock Krathong begins its journey in Chiang Mai (Image from the 180books.org Photo Collection by George Edward Giunca)
Corn Husk Krathong~ กระทงเปลือกข้าวโพด
The base of our float is made from a coconut husk, and the top sculpture is made from corn husks. A green center material is made from sun-dried then dyed grass, which adds some texture and dimension. Designs vary from boat and heart shapes with a flower in the center to a peacock design like the one we chose. Onboard were the traditional three sticks of incense and a candle. A coconut base allowed our peacock to float nicely above water level as it drifted out of sight.
Meanwhile, in northern Thailand, the Lanna people launch balloons to pay respect to the mythological Phrathat Ketkaew Chulamani, located in heaven. Known as the Yi Peng Festival, this is now a popular tourist draw, and thousands of balloons are sent to the heavens on an auspicious night. Even the local airport has adjusted their flight schedules around the event. What goes up, must come down and on the morning after, I’ll be out in our yard here in Chiang Mai cleaning up spent lanterns.
Women in traditional Thai clothes launch a Yi Peng lantern. (Image from the 180books.org Photo Collection by George Edward Giunca)
Wow Fai / Yee Peng ~ ว่าวไฟ / โคมยี่เป็ง
The Wow Fai balloon sometimes called a Yee Peng, or Yi Peng lantern is cylindrical and is usually launched at night. Once inflated with the heat of a small fuel source attached to the balloon, the lantern-like craft heads skyward. This is best accomplished with the help of at least on another person to avoid igniting the rice paper.
Preparing a Wow Lom balloon for launch in Tak, Thailand (Image from the 180books.org Photo Collection by George Edward Giunca)
Wow Hom / Wow Lom ~ ว่าวฮม / ว่าวลม
The Wow Hom or Wow Lom is larger and constructed of a slightly thicker material. A torch is used to fill the balloon with hot air and then released. This is done in the daytime usually before noon when the winds are calmer, and the weather is mild.
Happy Loy Krathong! For information on another exciting balloon festival celebrated in Myanmar, Click HERE (daytime) or HERE (Nightime)
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