Life as a single farang in the jungle (17): Loy Khratong

Loy Krathong festival is one of the most important Thai festivals that has been ingrained in Thai culture for many centuries. Like many other Thai Buddhist rituals, Loy Krathong has little or nothing to do with Buddhism. Strictly speaking, it is animism, or rather, nature worship. There is therefore no “monk” involved in most places.

The description given by the undersigned can and will differ from other descriptions because, like other rituals in Thailand, it is very regional. This description is based solely on personal experience and knowledge from conversations with the local Thai population.

Loy Krathong, the "feast of lights" or the water-air party. There are different names for it, but if we translate Loy Krathong it is clear:

• Loy: float
• Krathong: wreath

So simple: the feast of the floating wreaths. These can be on the water or in the air (balloons – come loy), as long as it floats. In my humble opinion, floating a wreath on water is the most ancient version of the celebration.

There are also different versions about the purpose of the festival, otherwise it would not be Thailand: for one it is a kind of showing respect for the rivers, the sea ... Mae Khongkha, Mea Naam, in short for the water, source of all life. For the other it is a kind of forgiveness from all evil and the seeking, imploring happiness.

Since the moon revolves around the earth in 27,3 days, the date of Loy Khratong is different every year. The party takes place on the "eve", and not as many think, at the full moon itself, of the first full moon of November. Why the “first full moon”… there can be two in one month, then one speaks of a “Blue Moon”. This year it is the evening of 24 to 25 November.

The ritual itself

Originally, now that is just bought, a wreath was made, in the shape of a boat or lotus, of banana leaves cut into strips and braided. One or more candles were placed on this wreath, some change, as well as something personal. Usually this is about a cut fingernail or a lock of hair. . This wreath is then placed on the river or sea and floats away with the current. Popular places are the mouth of a river in the sea. The further the wreath drifts away, the more happiness and if it disappears completely from sight: a whole year of happiness and prosperity.

Loy Khratong is also considered the end of the rainy season. The rivers, the sea have their highest water level around this time.

In some places in Isaan, a “travel mother” still exists. This is an elderly lady who leads the "ritual" for imploring a good rice harvest. Something similar also exists for Loy Krathong. This is an elderly lady dressed in traditional Thai clothing (shoet Thai) who presides at the opening of the Loy Krathong ceremony. This lady calls the “Naan No Pa Mat” or however you spell it… Here in the region it is only in Paknam that there is still a Naan No Pa Mat and where the ritual ceremony is performed annually.

The "feast of lights" was later expanded with balloons (Kom Loy). These are usually made of paper. Inside is a candle or a piece of rag with some petrol ... the hot air causes the balloon to rise and float away with the wind. In many places the release of these balloons is prohibited, such as in the immediate vicinity of the airport, densely populated places. This is for safety reasons and the risk of fires. When landing, the candles or other rubbish are usually burnt out, but things can often go wrong during take-off.

In popular places, this festival is usually accompanied by the necessary decibels of Thai music, performances of all kinds of world-famous stars in the area. The necessary BBQs should of course not be missed.

Loy Krathong is not an official holiday and therefore not a day off in Thailand.