Loi Kratong - Something has changed big-time

[thailand49]

Hey it the guy opinion his experience where he is surely not anywhere like Bangkok or Pattaya. Although I didn't know it until the last few days it certainly isn't dead people were out at 4pm on Beach row and Pattaya Klang, police volunteers? look like 200 hundred all line up and ready to go to work for the evening, drive by the police station Soi 9, BIB all line up getting their instructions. Traffic starting to build with vendors everywhere at the Jomtien restaurant packed with vendors line up selling from one end to the other. After dinner back to the Darkside near the house is a large recreation area with a large body of water vendors and people everywhere even what looked like alcohol drinking as if there was no pandemic. Like always on holidays I don't want to be on the roads after any major holiday or events in town pandemic or no pandemic in bed by 8? This event no problem but when it comes to Songkran scrap it or set specific dates like 3 national for everyone?????

[Bundooman]

I agree entirely. Here in Chiang Mai, every year, for as many as the OP, I have watched in wonder and sheer pleasure as the night sky is illuminated by the thousands of lanterns floating upwards into the sky, (bearing in mind of the pollution, air traffic concerns and potential fire hazard, of course), and Thailand letting down it's hair and enjoying themselves.

 

Last night, a few crackers went off periodically, irritating mostly because of their insignificance in the relative peacefulness of the local community plus a few kids trying to enjoy themselves.

 

The real surprise were the lack of lanterns. I only saw one - all evening, (although I confess I wasn't specifically watching for then all the time) - in the past you didn't need to. They were just there in their thousands, every time you raised your eyes.

 

So, congratulations to the army and the Hi-sos in their privileged positions of power and destruction of this once vibrant, exciting and beautiful country. Thailand is becoming more and more like Iran in the days following the overthrow of the Shah and the relentless crackdown thereafter, by the hated, yet powerful,  Revolutionary Guard. 

 

 

[tonray]

9 minutes ago, Bundooman said:

I have watched in wonder and sheer pleasure as the night sky is illuminated by the thousands of lanterns floating upwards into the sky, 

Simply because what you have witnessed in the past was a spectacle put on by the locals for tourists. No tourists no need for the spectacle. Not sure about CM because I am not there...but every local temple here in the BKK area was buzzing last night, loaded with locals just like every year.

[herfiehandbag]

14 hours ago, connda said:

Keep it up.  You destroy the country entirely.  Then? 

Eventually the people will have had enough.

 

For those that don't manage to squeeze into the convoys to whichever airport is used for the evacuation flights, ( escorted by the "Strikers" and under an air umbrella provided by the new light attack aircraft) then perhaps the lamp posts await...

[Andrew Dwyer]

Here in Ayutthaya it’s business as usual, traffic an absolute nightmare heading to the larger Wats.

We went to our usual smaller Wat with good river access, krathongs loaded with the usual strictly observed offerings ( hair and nail clippings, 4 x 25 satang coins for me and 2 x 50 satang coins for her + 2 x 1 baht coins each ). A handful of stalls selling multicoloured bread Krathong in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Light em up and send them on their merry way, a few fireworks in the distance but not a lantern in sight as is usual in these parts.

 

It’s all Greek to me but keeps the little lady happy, worth the inconvenience to see the [masked] smiles on the little kids faces.

[tonray]

5 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Here in Ayutthaya it’s business as usual, traffic an absolute nightmare heading to the larger Wats.

We went to our usual smaller Wat with good river access, krathongs loaded with the usual strictly observed offerings ( hair and nail clippings, 4 x 25 satang coins for me and 2 x 50 satang coins for her + 2 x 1 baht coins each ). A handful of stalls selling multicoloured bread Krathong in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Light em up and send them on their merry way, a few fireworks in the distance but not a lantern in sight as is usual in these parts.

 

It’s all Greek to me but keeps the little lady happy, worth the inconvenience to see the [masked] smiles on the little kids faces.

I think we are seeing two differing views here and perhaps the difference comes from two things: 1) some areas hit much harder economically than others but also some areas the spectacle we as foreigners have come to expect was simply a ruse put on for tourists and their cash. I know that in the Thonburi area where traditionally few tourists go anyway, the larger temples were full to the brim with revelers and Loy Kratong was full on as usual. I suspect that at Central World the mood was quite subdued.

[wombat]

15 hours ago, connda said:

What tourist in their right mind would want to come.

That is a question that needs to be asked.

Why would they?

[NancyL]

Here in muang Chiang Mai definitely saw fireworks and heard noisemakers, but puzzled by the lack of Khom Loys.  The Khom Loy shop in our neighborhood was open for business during the day, however.  Hubby reports that the shop wasn't doing its usual brisk business ahead of the holiday.  But, some people were buying them.  Didn't see any during our viewing of the Ping River from our condo.  Usually, as mentioned, there are thousands.  

 

Our cats aren't too bothered by the noise, but there were a couple of times that they went running for cover in the condo.  Fortunately, they get over it much better than dogs do.  Neighborhood noise was more subdued, but some people were having their fun.

 

I don't think the holiday is permanently dead, but people are being cautious because of Covid and the lack of tourists is definitely felt.

[thaibook]

Pak kret was jammed and Wat Koo was busy casting krathongs into Chao Praya.

[BE88]

Eliminate all the festivities of Buddhist origin and ancient religious manifestations and the plan of the generals to transform the country into a communist country, if you have not yet understood it is time to face reality.

 

 

 

[ballpoint]

The Loy Kratong descibed by the OP sounds ghastly.  Where I am up country it has never been about fireworks and loud music.  Rather it's a time to quietly go down to the village reservoir and peacefully float away your troubles.  Lanterns were introduced two or three years ago, which do look nice.  Last night was a typical celebration.  A bunch of people at the waters edge, with the candles flickering on the kratongs floating on the reservoir, and lanterns rising into the sky.  Music?  Fireworks?  Bah!  It sounds like the tourist ghettos were actually celebrating it in a traditional way this year.

[Will B Good]

16 hours ago, connda said:

Virtually no noise.

That one sentence makes me think you have made the whole thing up.......555

[tonray]

3 minutes ago, BE88 said:

Eliminate all the festivities of Buddhist origin and ancient religious manifestations and the plan of the generals to transform the country into a communist country, if you have not yet understood it is time to face reality.

 

 

 

Utter nonsense because these festivals and Thai Buddhism in general have been used to control the population for decades...there is no way they ever want to change that

[huangnon]

Was quiet here last night (Banchang, Rayong), but quite a few people at the local beaches setting their kratongs off into the water. (Hopefully, not the foam variety).

Fireworks (for sale) have been banned here for a few years now, well before the junta seized power. -As I recall, the small town of Mahachai (S.W. Bangkok) had a huge fire and series of explosions due to an extensive cottage-industry production of illegal fireworks in the center of town. Sale of squibs prohibited afterwards. ????

I think there are some planned firework 'shows' around the country in the larger towns this weekend?

Edited November 20, 2021 by huangnon

[Tedly]

15 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Lots of fireworks going off all around in San Sai.

Not many floating lanterns.

I'm in San Sai too and I saw lots of lanterns the last 2 night along with fireworks. But maybe lot's to me is down from normal as this is my first Loy Krathong here.

[seajae]

we will have dinner at home and float the krathong on our dam, no way will we go into a crowd where many will not be vaccinated or wearing masks

 

[NoshowJones]

13 hours ago, steven100 said:

sounds blissful .....   lets hope it's the norm 

I went to a festival last night with my wife, my eardrums were suffering from the extra loud noise of someone speaking through the sound system and also the very loud bass sound.

We left after she put her basket in the river. It was anything but blissful.

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

I went to a festival last night with my wife, my eardrums were suffering from the extra loud noise of someone speaking through the sound system and also the very loud bass sound.

We left after she put her basket in the river. It was anything but blissful.

Now that 'sounds' like Thailand to me.

[moe666]

17 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

One of my favourite thai cultural events was the candle festival in Ubon and I would hate to see things like that go. Same as Bangkok street food.  

But what is the government actually doing to get rid of Loi Kratong and similar festivals and events.

Even if cynical they would know it brings the tourists and tourists are money.

Maybe a bit quiet this year as everyone wakes up from lockdowns and constraints. 

 

In Chiang Mai it is the mandate of no balloons allowed to fly. We had a small party last night on the roof of a hotel. During my 3 hour stay I saw 4 balloons flying in years past there would be thousands in the sky. They are just nibbling away at holidays making them a shell of there former self.

[redwood1]

I agree with every word of the OP post 1,000,000 %

 

The only small thing you got wrong is the cultural sterilization is not just happening in Thailand, its happening worldwide......Its just more noticeable to long term expats in Thailand who most moved here for the very reason to escape cultural sterilization......

 

Thailand WAS more or less free from the serialization but after the 2014 Coup more and more is being taken away......Kill Khao San road, Chop down all the trees on Pattaya beach, ban food carts, ban the lanterns, ban fireworks etc etc etc

 

Welcome to the new normal..............

 

O-yea and don't forget your smartphone with your biometric id if you want to go shopping soon..

Edited November 20, 2021 by redwood1

[BritManToo]

57 minutes ago, Tedly said:

I'm in San Sai too and I saw lots of lanterns the last 2 night along with fireworks. But maybe lot's to me is down from normal as this is my first Loy Krathong here.

Every year they used to release 10,000 lanterns at the Dhamma Centre in MaeJo.

This is what it used to look like ..........

 

[moe666]

3 hours ago, tonray said:

Simply because what you have witnessed in the past was a spectacle put on by the locals for tourists. No tourists no need for the spectacle. Not sure about CM because I am not there...but every local temple here in the BKK area was buzzing last night, loaded with locals just like every year.

I cannot agree with your post about putting on for tourist. Even before covid the powers that be were cutting into the flying of lanterns. In CM it was a mini business for young adults to make a bit of money selling lantern around the moat, you could see the affect first year. There was a real fall off of venders the next year a huge difference. Now with covid the party is over, it is not just farang seeing the difference the Thais are complaining as well.

[malibukid]

no parade of lights, or classic Thai dancing at Thapee gate here in CM this year.  explosions yes.  disappointment. btw, what happen to all the hill tribe ladies that would come into town and sell their wares like the wooden frogs. really beautiful people.  did they run them out of town? and the night market in CM is long gone and has lost it charm since they built that huge concrete mausoleum.  

Edited November 20, 2021 by malibukid

[redwood1]

2 hours ago, tonray said:

Utter nonsense because these festivals and Thai Buddhism in general have been used to control the population for decades...there is no way they ever want to change that

The NEW normal is called the NEW normal for a reason..

[JWRC]

Having just read the original post, all I see is an embittered old man having a rant. Sure it was quiet this year, maybe the Covid situation has bought that about, why does everything come back to "they hate us" and/or the 90 day report. I have been here a good while longer than you, stop fighting everything, learn that adapting will not kill you. it's a small thing, how is being quiet affecting your lifestyle, at least you didn't get to dope the dogs. Sadly for people with your mind set it may be time to move on, as nothing here seems to suit you. Sad

[redwood1]

44 minutes ago, moe666 said:

In Chiang Mai it is the mandate of no balloons allowed to fly. We had a small party last night on the roof of a hotel. During my 3 hour stay I saw 4 balloons flying in years past there would be thousands in the sky. They are just nibbling away at holidays making them a shell of there former self.

I am just waiting for the day the floating Kratongs are banned....

 

They must be banned because the fish are getting sick from eating them and because of global warming and bla bla bla bla bla  .

 

You know its coming.....

[steven100]

1 hour ago, possum1931 said:

I went to a festival last night with my wife, my eardrums were suffering from the extra loud noise of someone speaking through the sound system and also the very loud bass sound.

We left after she put her basket in the river. It was anything but blissful.

yes .... blissful is peace and quite in my book,  incidentally... I didn't place a flower basket in the river but I did throw an old box of rubbish I had lying around, it didn't float like the flowers though 

[Andrew Dwyer]

The multi coloured bread Krathong are neat and the fish snap em up, although they didn’t seem too impressed with my half a coconut shell and candle wax flower !!

[jesimps]

I actually prefer the quiet Loy Kratong. I imagine it's similar to what the original festival was like ie peace and tranquility without the bass-heavy, stress-inducing "music". Here in Ban Amphur, although quieter than previous years, I still had to close my bedroom window at 11:45 pm because of it. Same on Friday evening. Don't know where the noise comes from as I live on the edge of the golf course in the middle of nowhere.

 

Edited November 20, 2021 by jesimps

[ColeBOzbourne]

I did not hear the Loi Kratong song playing over the loudspeakers in any stores in Bangkok that I went to, as they normally do. Yesterday, Loi Kratong Day, I heard Christmas Music in one store. Is the pandemic to blame for that too?