Hello Southerners, I have had a few beers and the lips have loosend a bit. I have loyed my kratong with the wife and I enjoyed it very much. It is one of the holidays that I look forward to every year even though as I type this I wish they would turn down the sound(my house is too close to city hall). I wish all of you good luck. May your kratong float the farthest.

I am watching sky lanterns in the distance (and putting up with the usual loud fireworks locally, too)

This is my favorite Thai holiday. It's civilized. Even somewhat magical.

(Songkran, on the other hand, is ...well, forgettable)

We had a party at our home for about 20 people, including a cute baby, Thais, farang, wide range of folks. First guests arrived about sunset. others much later. Launched kom after 9:30 pm, lots of fireworks, etc. Last guests left at 2 AM.

Not LK related but...

On the eve of the first anniversary of the tsunami at Patong they had a rehearsal on the beach with lanterns floating out to sea on a gentle offshore breeze. Lovely.

Come the actual day and the breeze was inshore and blew the lanterns over the town where they were landing and catching fire - they had to announce over the tanoys to stop launching them.