Thailand's largest photos and videos site!
Over 3400 pages, 2800 photos, 100 videos. 1.4+ million pages served

Popular: Thailand PHOTOS Index Thailand VIDEOS Index Thailand E-BOOKS & Articles E-books for Sale Thailand BLOGS Thai Restaurants

Travel Activities: Things to do in Thailand Articles: Thai People and Culture General: Thailand Reference Info

Thai Culture: Loy Krathong
(Launching Krathong Photos)

[What is it?]

Loy Krathong is a festival for sweethearts. Sort of like Valentines Day in the USA. Loi Krathong is a religious event which happens every year on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (first full moon day of November). Most Thai people will buy or make a "Krathong". It is made of cross-sections of banana tree or circles of styrofoam surrounded by banana leaves, with flowers and a candle and or incense in the middle. In the evening, Thai people go to places where there is a river, pond, or a stream to launch their "KRATHONG". Some Thais put money on the Krathong and some crafty children and sometimes adults know this... they swim in the water and wait for Krathongs to be launched. They then take the money and push the Krathong on it's way. Nobody seems to get upset at this, as it's "business as usual" every Loy Krathong day. Thai people celebrate Loy Krathong to apologize to the river and waterways for making it dirty.

[Loy Krathong Photos]

Below are some photos of Loy Krathong. If you are interested in learning how to make a Krathong please see our step by step process: Making a Krathong!

Thai families launch Krathongs and sit and watch them float

If your Krathong comes back to the shore or if it tips over then that is "bad luck". Even if you must push the Krathong out into the water with a stick - better for you. Most people put some money on the Krathong too - some over 1000 Thai Baht. We usually put about 50 - 100 baht. There are kids swimming in some areas and canoes of people that take the money off the Krathongs!

Thai Buddha and other Buddhist Amulets shipped from Thailand. Authentic.