July 7, 200620 yr November 5th Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand The most popular festival in Thailand, Loy Krathong is celebrated on the night of the full moon, when the river is high over the country. It means "to float a Krathong," a vessel made of banana leaves. Each vessel contains a candle, some flowers and coins, and is floated on the river — the result is a beautiful light celebration. Loy Krathong, Ayutthaya, Thailand 04 Nov 2006 - 05 Nov 2006 Loy Krathong is one of the most popular festivals of Thailand and is celebrated nationwide. The festival starts in the evening when the full moon is out. People of all walks of life carry their krathongs – small floats made of flowers, a candle and two incense sticks – to the nearby river or canal. After lighting the candle and joss-sticks and making a wish, they gently place the krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight. The festival dates back to the time of the Sukhothai Kingdom, about 700 years ago. It marks the end of the rainy season and the main rice harvest when farmers thanked the god of water for the rains. In Ayutthaya the festival stretches over two days and includes a pageant, a procession, a Thai food fair, a floating market, fireworks and of course the krathongs on the river. Edited July 7, 200620 yr by tywais
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