One festival eagerly awaited by the Thais is Loi Krathong, celebrated on the full-moon night of the twelfth lunar month. This year this falls on November 12.

Thais from all walks of life take advantage of this occasion to pay their respect and give thanks to “Mae Khongkha,” the Goddess of Water.  Ancient Thailand was largely an agricultural country and water supply spelled the difference between good and bad harvest.

On the night of the lantern festival, people gather by the thousands along canals and rivers. With a silent prayer they carefully place their krathong with flowers, incense and one or more lit candles into the water. The krathong was originally made of banana leaf, mostly in the shape of a lotus holding a candle, three incense sticks and a few small coins.  In the ancient days, betel nuts were also included.

Each region of the country has its own tradition and way of practice. But generally, after releasing their krathong in the water, people celebrate with fireworks, dancing and other forms of folk entertainment.

The festival, according to records, started about 700 years ago in Sukhothai, the country’s former capital, when farmers held a floating lantern festival shortly after sowing seeds in water-logged rice paddies.  One woman by the name of Nang Nophamat who lived in the King’s palace created  special lanterns for the festival. They were made of banana leaves and shaped like lotus flowers. The lanterns so impressed the King he made the floating of the lotus-shaped krathong a yearly event.

Historians, however, believe Loi Krathong had its roots from India’s Deepavali lantern and float festival, a religious tradition meant to pay homage to Trimurati, the three supreme gods in the Hindu religion.

A time of rejoicing, Loi Krathong is usually accompanied by parades, dancing, and lantern displays across the country. The most colourful celebrations, of course, take place in Sukhothai, the place of its origin.  During the evening, a ceremony is held at the ruins of the old city to remember Nang Nophamat and her first krathongs.  Stone pillars and statues are beautifully lit, and hundreds of krathongs are set afloat.