Autumn in Thailand with Loy Krathong, the Lantern Festival.

Every country has its own traditions and customs. Once a year in Thailand, countless crowds gather for a multi-day celebration. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand in the next few days, you’ll be pleased to know that Loy Krathong, more commonly known as the Lantern Festival, will be held on 27 November 2023. But what exactly does this festival mean? Where does it come from, and above all what does it celebrate?

Everything you need to know about the Lantern Festival in Thailand!

A little history…

First of all, we absolutely must start at the beginning. The beginnings of this celebration. Loy Krathong originated in the town of Sukhotai, 427 kilometres north of Bangkok. Today, it is celebrated absolutely everywhere in the country. You’re probably wondering what Loy Krathong means. In Thai, “loy” means to float, while “Krathing” refers directly to a small raft barely larger than a branch, about twenty centimetres in diameter. Their shape is similar to the magnificent lotus leaf, which grows all over the country. Nowadays, there are different versions: made of plastic or polystyrene, to resist water better.

Interesting fact: Originally, the Thai built Krathong by cutting up a banana trunk and decorating it with pretty flowers. Tradition has it that the festival takes place in the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, at the end of the rainy season.

This tradition dates back thousands of years, to the 13th century to be precise. King Ramkhamhaeng, the 2nd ruler of the new kingdom of Sukhothai, who was highly esteemed and venerated by his subjects, decided to establish a Hindu tradition dedicated to thanking the water goddess. This tradition honours the Hindu goddess of water and water spirits: “Mae Khongkha”. Playing a very important role in the daily lives of the Thai people, it is through her that they beg forgiveness for the pollution of the rivers and ask for mercy. They also ask for indulgence and benevolence, so that they can harvest good crops and easily feed the whole country. It is also important to note that the festival is an opportunity to honour the Buddha “Gautama Sidhartha, who, through the community of wandering monks he founded, gave birth to Buddhism. Every year in November, the entire Thai population lays down their Krathongs on the banks of rivers, lakes, ponds, in the sky… To light up heaven and earth.

Gifts and offerings, more or less out of the ordinary

The Thais let their Krathong fly by placing a lit candle and some incense inside. These lanterns, reputed to be celestial, offer a magnificent spectacle that lights up the entire sky.

Some people add their fingernails and a few strands of their hair to the krathong. This is a way of taking all their everyday worries, problems and grudges and entrusting them to the goddess Mae Kgongkha, who is strong and robust enough to deal with them and make them disappear. After all, everyone needs to learn, grow and evolve – everyone also needs to refocus, come back to themselves and slow down. Extracting all the negative emotions from your mind allows you to feel more at ease and in tune with yourself. “Don’t we say ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’? After this cultural ceremony, the Thai people feel more serene about moving forward and believing in their abilities and their successes. An excellent way to regain confidence in life!

Where can you see the Lantern Festival in Thailand?

You’ll find it easy to attend the festival, which is so well-known and popular. However, there are a few places in Thailand where the festival is even more grandiose, more beautiful and more illuminated! If you’re looking for a few places to admire the festival, here’s a short list:

• Sukhothai, where it all began. The town offers a fairytale spectacle, where people sing, eat and dance under a starry sky of a thousand and one lanterns. As you mingle with the crowds, you’ll be simply amazed by all the joy and good humour. Light and sound all round!

• In the city of Chiang Mai. Following the beautiful river, you can