Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is Thai festival started when Sukothai was the capital of Thailand. The festival takes place on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month of the year which is November. Loy means to float and krathong is a lotus shaped floral float made of banana leaves. It is told that the floating of krathong was to make worship to the Buddha’s foot print. King of Serpents (Praya Nak) persuaded the Lord Buddha to set foot on the sand of the river bank of “Namatanati”. On this full moon night, Praya Nak appears to worship the foot print and swim around joyfully.

On the night of Loy Krathong festival, people light the candles and joss sticks and make a wish as they launch their krathongs in canals, rivers or small ponds. It is believed that the krathong will carry away their bad luck and bring good wishes for the New Year. By floating krathong, people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water as water is very important to Thai People. On this day, Krathong contests and beauty contests are also organized and the winner is called “Nang Noppamas”. Nang Noppamas was the Royal consort of Sukothai King and she made the first krathong of Sukothai.

Every year during Loy Krathong festival, my school organizes krathong contest. The most beautiful krathong will receive an award from the school principal. There is a “Nang Noppamas” beauty contest. Students will vote the most beautiful and most graceful Nang Noppamas. Every year my family goes to the nearby temple to float krathong. Later we shop around the night market and watch the