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[malamala]

This will be our first time in Chiang Mai during the Loi Krathon festival and beside the lanterns I am not sure what to expect?

Can you give me an idea on what is happening in Chiang Mai and when, what would you recommend not to miss (or what to miss) ?

thank you!

[bangkokcitylimits]

Loi Kathoy once used to be a romantic festival, long time ago.

Now it is:

extreme traffic congestion due to complete lack of traffic management

drunk crowds along the riversides playing with loud firecrackers

pollution of the rivers with plastic parts of the floats

Loi Kathoy and Songkran I both hate them and avoid them like a sidewalkwhore with scabies. It's nothing but a hype for locals.

[JimSiam]

Loi Kathoy once used to be a romantic festival, long time ago.

Now it is:

extreme traffic congestion due to complete lack of traffic management

drunk crowds along the riversides playing with loud firecrackers

pollution of the rivers with plastic parts of the floats

Loi Kathoy and Songkran I both hate them and avoid them like a sidewalkwhore with scabies. It's nothing but a hype for locals.

Thats commercialisation for you, kind of like what Valentines day has turned to in the western world.

There are some nice places to visit for Loy Krathong around Chiang Mai I have heard, but as mentioned above the city traffic gets pretty jammed up.

[realthaideal]

I agree, 100 years ago I enjoyed the holiday much more than these days. But... who cares ??!

It's one of the most amazing and beautiful things I've ever seen in my whole life. Traffic schmaffic, make the effort. The parade that usually happens on the first and second day with it's graceful candle dancers and decorated floats are a sight to behold. So is the kratong send off down by the water and yes, the chaos of fireworks going off everywhere. THat's best viewed from Nawarat Bridge or the walking bridge by Warorot, both with a great open view of all the happenings on either side of the river.

Chaos, noise, craziness, traffic, drunken youth ? Yes. Incredible beauty, the best side of Lanna culture, fun, interesting ancient rituals, people out celebrating en masse and welcoming of visitors, a chance to be part of local customs and culture ? Yes. Depends if you want to see the glass half empty or half full.

To deal with traffic and crowds, I'd say plan to be in the city about an hour before sundown as the parade begins to line up, usually around Thapae Gate somewhere. Be prepared to walk alot with family that night. If you can, stay in the city for 1-2 nights and that way no traffic to fight - you're already in the heart of the action. After the parade, about 8-9 pm it's nice to continue to the river to float a kratong and see some fireworks, maybe plan to eat somewhere along your way from Thapae area to the river. Do what you gotta d at the river, see the spectacle, and then walk back to your place. Something you could only see/ participate in here. Have fun.

Btw, the big 10,000 Khom Loi floating Lantern thing held up at Mae Jo is also an amazing amazing thing to see and take part in, but it involves lots of traffic and massive crowds. You do get to stroll around, eat all kinds of snacks, and meet all kinds of great folks. They also explain the traditional 2nd Moon rituals for you and what everything means before leading you through a few minutes of Buddhist mind clearing and meditation (over giant loudspeakers in a large field where the crowd and lanterns are spaced evenly in shopping stall arrangement. An incredible thing to see, and an incredible effort required to make it happen and deal with the crowds - for me this one is more of a toss-up based on my mood at the moment and general disposition. For me, I've been there done that, though one day may check it out again.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Great post by RTD.. I'm not a huge fan of Loy Krarhong (Am a HUGE Songkran fan tho) but usually manage to find somewhere peaceful enough to float my boat.

[Loaded]

Has anyone got this year's dates? I think November 19th - 21st but not sure. Plus when is the Maejo mega show this year?

[Ulysses G.]

I hated it 20 years ago. It was quite dangerous because of the irresponsible use of fireworks - shooting rockets horizontally into crowded areas and such. However, now the police are quite vigilant about keeping it safe in the Thapae Gate area, so now I enjoy it.

(I'm not sure what the river area is like as I have always avoided it).

Edited October 20, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[Greenside]

Mae Jo is scheduled for November 20th with the actual release somewhere about 7:00 ish. Get there earlier for the whole ceremony though.

[gotlost]

Loi Kathoy once used to be a romantic festival, long time ago.

Now it is:

extreme traffic congestion due to complete lack of traffic management

drunk crowds along the riversides playing with loud firecrackers

pollution of the rivers with plastic parts of the floats

Loi Kathoy and Songkran I both hate them and avoid them like a sidewalkwhore with scabies. It's nothing but a hype for locals.

Exactly why we go to the festival at the lake in Doi Saket. We leave it to the fool tourist and drunken locals in town.

As for the date, Nov. 19-21.

Edited October 21, 2010 by gotlost

[bangkokcitylimits]

Try to find the complete schedule of activities and locations via a local, there is more information in Thai.

[chiangmaitoughguy]

Same every year, I do remember the face of a friend who stated to me after returning from the river, "It;s a war zone"

Not the lanterns and nice romantic pictures that you see all over the internet and on pictures mate.

[gotlost]

Proper attire for Loi krathong.

[uptheos]

I agree, 100 years ago I enjoyed the holiday much more than these days. But... who cares ??!

Wow, I thought you were a lot younger.

[jayjay0]

Same every year, I do remember the face of a friend who stated to me after returning from the river, "It;s a war zone"

Not the lanterns and nice romantic pictures that you see all over the internet and on pictures mate.

Is your friend mentally challenged. They obviously have been watching to much TV or reading it.

Sounds like just another farong who couldn't make it back home and has no idea of the Thai culture (or lack of depends on your idea of culture) So they just denigrate it.

They celebrate with fire works that make the fire works of my youth look shabby and they were really good that far back. If it is to much joy for you stick your head under the covers and continue with the Bah Humbug attitude.

[MrBrad]

It's a picnic on a battlefield.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The only fun aspect really is setting off those lanterns in the flight path of airplanes heading for CNX. Other than that, I'd rather stay home with some DVDs.

[Cnxforever]

Has anyone got this year's dates? I think November 19th - 21st but not sure. Plus when is the Maejo mega show this year?

I am sorry but calling it a mega show is exactly what the people who started this did not intend it to be!

It is a beautiful Buddhist ceremony and the release of the lanterns is just the final part of it. I have been to this ceremony for many years and it is getting worse every year. What used to be a beautiful quite ceremony is turning into some kind of carnival. Last year there was a bunch of Farangs who brought along folding chairs and believe it or not - bottles of wine and plastic cups as if it was a picnic!

Thai friends asked me to convey to them in a friendly manner that this is a Buddhist ceremony in a Buddhist temple with Buddhist monks - bringing alcohol to a temple and consume it there is an absolute no no!

I am sure if this develops any further into a "freak show" the monks will stop it as it absolutely misses the purpose of the ceremony.

If you go there - observe and please show some respect - it is one of the most beautiful things you might be able to witness in your life! The release of the 5000 lanterns is just the climax at the end - last year I took my 72 year old mother and she had tears in her eyes - that's how overwhelmed she was by the beauty of what she witnessed.

So please participate as silent observers, help to preserve this beautiful ceremony intended for the locals and try not to turn it into a "tourist attraction".

[WinnieTheKhwai]

So please participate as silent observers, help to preserve this beautiful ceremony intended for the locals and try not to turn it into a "tourist attraction".

Am I allowed to float a krathong, release a hot air balloon and then party afterwards at some bar where all the staff are dressed in Lanna inspired attire?

Edited October 21, 2010 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Ulysses G.]

I am sure if this develops any further into a "freak show" the monks will stop it as it absolutely misses the purpose of the ceremony.

It seems to be the way of big holidays all over the place. Song Kran and, of course, Christmas have little do with the original traditions.

[CMX]

Anybody who would deny that Christmas in the United States is not principally a feeding frenzy wears blinders, I fear.

Personally, I expect Western tourists to be oblivious to other nation's most profound beliefs and traditions. Here on Th Vi, contributors are frequently complaining about Thai traditions that are different to their own.

It is Thais themselves that you wonder about - are they too dulling their beliefs in favor of commerce? As suggested above, these evolutions continue everywhere. World's people are changing all the time.

Still, with a selective eye, anyone can see beauty in this ceremony among quiet Thai people, even here in Chiang Mai.

[Loaded]

Has anyone got this year's dates? I think November 19th - 21st but not sure. Plus when is the Maejo mega show this year?

I am sorry but calling it a mega show is exactly what the people who started this did not intend it to be!

If that is the case, I'm not sure why they release 5,000 lanterns and encourage visitors. Maybe you could explain the Buddhist aspect to this. Buddhism to me is following Dharma and meditating quietly and discreetly. There are many events at temples which have absolutely nothing to do with the teachings of Buddha. Wat Pra Doi Suthep has been turned in to a mini Disney park with 2-tier admission prices. This isn't Buddhism either.

[Lizard2010]

Can anyone advise what the 2 dates for 2011 will be.

I take it that both venues have different dated.

Their is the ones at Chiang Mai and then the big 10,000 Khom Loi floating Lantern thing held up at Mae Jo.

Thanks for all the above information

[Cnxforever]

Has anyone got this year's dates? I think November 19th - 21st but not sure. Plus when is the Maejo mega show this year?

I am sorry but calling it a mega show is exactly what the people who started this did not intend it to be!

If that is the case, I'm not sure why they release 5,000 lanterns and encourage visitors. Maybe you could explain the Buddhist aspect to this. Buddhism to me is following Dharma and meditating quietly and discreetly. There are many events at temples which have absolutely nothing to do with the teachings of Buddha. Wat Pra Doi Suthep has been turned in to a mini Disney park with 2-tier admission prices. This isn't Buddhism either.

Exactly what I am talking about - this ceremony in Mae Jo started out as a merit making ceremony for the locals before Loi Krathong. The Loy Khom release turned it into some kind of attraction that is now getting out of hand. Hundreds of Vendors sell all kinds of things.

I do understand that it provides an opportunity for them to sell their products and earn a living. They also sell the lanterns which contain wire to hold the fuel - they are not allowed into the temple grounds and have to be surrendered before entering the temple.

Don't get me wrong the locals make everybody very welcome - and they are very proud that visitors come and watch. They are also very well organized with students at every corner to guide you in the right direction because parking is usually far away.

What Buddhism is about you might want to discuss with the monks who lead through the ceremony - I only wanted to point out what this gathering is about - and it is not about the lanterns this is just the final act where the community used to release the lanterns at the end to create some form of "togetherness" - promising to do better, encouraged by the monks who are of course part of the local community. Khom Loy used to be a form of ridding ones self of bad things - a promise of betterment - attaching letters to the lanterns - literally letting everything that is bad in ones life "fly away".

And about inappropriate behavior - I don't think any community anywhere in the world would find it funny if a religious ceremony is invaded by a bunch of people with folding chairs and alcoholic drinks having a party. And even though most Thais will not say anything - they do notice!

[jayjay0]

Has anyone got this year's dates? I think November 19th - 21st but not sure. Plus when is the Maejo mega show this year?

I am sorry but calling it a mega show is exactly what the people who started this did not intend it to be!

If that is the case, I'm not sure why they release 5,000 lanterns and encourage visitors. Maybe you could explain the Buddhist aspect to this. Buddhism to me is following Dharma and meditating quietly and discreetly. There are many events at temples which have absolutely nothing to do with the teachings of Buddha. Wat Pra Doi Suthep has been turned in to a mini Disney park with 2-tier admission prices. This isn't Buddhism either.

Exactly what I am talking about - this ceremony in Mae Jo started out as a merit making ceremony for the locals before Loi Krathong. The Loy Khom release turned it into some kind of attraction that is now getting out of hand. Hundreds of Vendors sell all kinds of things.

I do understand that it provides an opportunity for them to sell their products and earn a living. They also sell the lanterns which contain wire to hold the fuel - they are not allowed into the temple grounds and have to be surrendered before entering the temple.

Don't get me wrong the locals make everybody very welcome - and they are very proud that visitors come and watch. They are also very well organized with students at every corner to guide you in the right direction because parking is usually far away.

What Buddhism is about you might want to discuss with the monks who lead through the ceremony - I only wanted to point out what this gathering is about - and it is not about the lanterns this is just the final act where the community used to release the lanterns at the end to create some form of "togetherness" - promising to do better, encouraged by the monks who are of course part of the local community. Khom Loy used to be a form of ridding ones self of bad things - a promise of betterment - attaching letters to the lanterns - literally letting everything that is bad in ones life "fly away".

And about inappropriate behavior - I don't think any community anywhere in the world would find it funny if a religious ceremony is invaded by a bunch of people with folding chairs and alcoholic drinks having a party. And even though most Thais will not say anything - they do notice!

Are folding chairs a no no. Being some what incapacitated I would find more than ten minutes standing imposable. As for drink well that and women, you are always going to have the farong who thinks that is all Thailand is about. They are completely clueless and have no idea of what they are missing.

[IanForbes]

Yah, it's a real nuisance with all those pretty girls setting off the lanterns and blocking traffic.

And even worse when I can't go into town for my case of booze because of the floats and people jambing the streets.

And the sky is filled with dangerous lanterns that might set the city on fire. And. all the explosions sends the soi dogs under cover instead of barking at passing strangers..

And instead of wearing those nice, skimpy outfits, all the gals in the bars dress up in silks.

[malamala]

thank you for your input, from many of your replies I get the feel of mass craze ..... if we were to decide to watch the celebrations on Sunday, where would you recommend to do so from?

[IanForbes]

thank you for your input, from many of your replies I get the feel of mass craze ..... if we were to decide to watch the celebrations on Sunday, where would you recommend to do so from?

The late afternoon parade usually travels around the eastern side (river side) of the moat and carries on towards the river. Tai Pei gate is a central area with lots of people setting off lanterns and fireworks. The Narawat bridge over the Ping River is another central area where all the action occurs. There is a river walk through the flower market area where people place the little flower floats with candles to drift down the river. Everything pretty much gets underway at dusk. There are a few Thai hotels off Loi Kroh road that have outside stairs to upper balconies where you get a great view of the city.

Once you are here it's easy enough to ask someone where to go for the best location. All down town bars and restaurants have staff that speak English.

[malamala]

thank you!

[meadish_sweetball]

Loi Krapong can be a wonderful occasion.