Loy Loy Krathong

“Loi” means “to float”. “Krathong” is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions often use styrofoam), decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river. Governmental offices, corporations and other organizations also build much bigger and more elaborate rafts, and these are often judged in contests. In addition, fireworks and beauty contests take place during the festival.

The festival probably originated in India as a Hindu festival similar to Divali as thanksgiving to the deity of the Ganges with floating lanterns for giving life throughout the year.

According to the writings of H.M. King Rama IV in 1863, the originally Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honor the Lord Buddha. Apart from venerating the Buddha with light (the candle on the raft), the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of oneself. Many Thai believe that floating a Krathong will create good luck, and they do it to honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

As today is Loy Krathong festival for Thai people, but I didn't left home to anywhere because I dislike traffic jam and tomorrow I must get up early morning for go to enrollment at university. But both Baby and I we used Loy Krathong online as the photo above.

Also today, I phoned to Toi for bless him to good luck for his duty today. (Keep the Krothong in a river) In fact, Toi must take turns being on duty tonight, but both Baby and I call that Navy like Toi has a duty for keep garbage in Chao Phraya River. (For this point Toi told me that his duty for another girl he is so smart, but for me he is very poor. However, even Toi behaved like a girl that I dislike, But Toi is a nice friend for me (For annoyed when I am bored)