While the New Year of festival of Songkran is the most intensely celebrated event on the Thai calendar, there is almost universal agreement that Loy Krathong is the most beautiful. The festival of light is a visually stunning event and leaves people who see it for the first time gasping in wonder. In both Pattaya and Koh Chang, preparations are already being made for the event.
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This year the festival, which traditionally is said to herald the beginning of the tourist high season, is later than usual and will take place on the full moon on 28th November. Loy Krathong is timed according to the lunar cycle and will take place on the full moon, although there will plenty of parties and events during the week surrounding the main day. {timg title:=”Loykratong Festival” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/loykratong1.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/loykratong1.jpg” gal:=”gallery-content”} In Pattaya, the focus of this year’s festival will be in the area surrounding Naklua Old Market. These will include the popular Miss Nopamart competition, an annual beauty pageant. There will also be feasting from a plethora of food stalls and cultural performances of traditional Thai dance and music. In addition there is an annual event on Bali Pier and extensive festivities along walking street. In Koh Chang there is not the same magnitude of organised events, but the celebrations will be equally vigorous. Many of the hotels will be organising dinners and parties but perhaps the best fun is to be had down on the beach. Festivities will be at their most manic on White Sand beach but all the main beaches will have a party atmosphere to enjoy. |
{timg title:=”Loykratong Festival” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/loykratong2_small.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/loykratong2” gal:=”gallery-content”} At the heart of the legend of Loy Krathong is the 13th century fable of a royal consort who floats an elaborate decoration down a canal running alongside the royal palace, lit with a candle. Legend has it that the King delighted by the sight fell in love. Traditionally, if two lovers float a krathong down the river and it stays alight until it is out of sight, their love will last forever. {timg title:=”Loykratong Festival” thumb:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/loykratong3_small.jpg” img:=”images/stories/srv/blog/small/loykratong3_small” gal:=”gallery-content”} Today all over Thailand people make similar floats, known as krathongs, and float them on any convenient body of water. In Pattaya visitors can expect to see thousands of pinpricks of light floating on the sea. However, the view will be enhanced with the more modern tradition of letting off sky lanterns all bearing a flame which will also light up the skies. In many cases, these will be supplemented by both organised and impromptu fireworks displays. So expect the spectacular because as always, Loy Krathong will be utterly breathtaking! |
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