The Loi Krathong Festival is a held during the flood season on the last full moon in November, the festival centers around floating a krathong into a lake or river when the moon is full and tide is high. The krathong is made from natural materials- banana trunk and leaves or coconut are the base and make it float, it is decorated with flowers, candles and incense.

It is a celebration, you light the candle and incense and float your krathong. The moon is full, all the floating candles are beautiful on a lake or river. The floating of a krathong meant different things through history- from asking for forgiveness for drinking water to worshiping the footprint of Buddha; today the festival is more about floating a krathong to wish away misfortune, you are floating away a sin or making a wish that will be buried at the bottom of a river or lake.

I wasn’t overly motivated about the festival, it sounded a bit silly. I was wrong, I walked to Lumpini and was surprised at the beauty of the krathongs and the enthusiasm of large crowd. I will go back and recommend it for any local of someone on holiday.