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Thai Culture: Loy Krathong and "Making a Krathong"

[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.

[Making a Krathong]

Below are the steps for making a Krathong. You'll probably need a Thai person to help you as it's almost impossible to explain with photos and writing!

Cut banana leaves as shown
and wipe them with wet cloth

Cut into rectangles about same size.
You'll need MANY.

Cut off the hard center ridge
of the banana leaf.

Fold in quarter sections from each side toward the center. Each side should be folded twice and the two sides should meet in the center. Similar to making a paper-airplane.