Loy Krathong

KTMphil

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Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
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2007 KTM 990 Adventure Suzuki DRZ 400
More in the Wiki link below about Loy Krathong

Loi Krathong - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The big day for 2012 is supposed to be 28th November, 2012, when the Thai skies will be filled with paper lanterns.



"Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.Loi literally means 'to float,' while krathong refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the krathong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A krathong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or styrofoam. A bread krathong will disintegrate in a few a days and be eaten by fish and other animals. The traditional banana stalk krathongs are also biodegradable, but styrofoam krathongs are frowned on, since they are polluting and may take years to disappear. Regardless of the composition, a krathong will be decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. A low value coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. During the night of the full moon, Thais will float their krathong on a river, canal or a pond lake. The festival is believed to originate in an ancient practice of paying respect to the spirit of the waters. Today it is simply a time to have fun."
 
Two days before the BIG day (this year 26th November, 2012), each corner of the Chiang Mai old city is filled with burning candles.


The whole thing seemed to be orchestrated by girls in school uniforms



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Using a leaf as a windbreaker to try light the candle

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It sounds like its a lot bigger in Chiang Mai than in many other places, here in Kanchanaburi I have seen nothing at all and guess its only a one day event here
 
Thank you for sharing the pictures!

Always enjoyed Loy Krathong and wandering around the town center this time of year; our first vacation to Chiang Mai was during Loy Krathong 13 years ago. Can anyone explain the warrior elephants?

:DD
 
Love the fire lanterns.....
 

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Seesm the forum doesnt have the flickr BB tags ?? Cant seem to embed a slideshow anyway..

Linkage.

Loy Kratong
 
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