Loy Krathong

This week on Thursday I had the chance to experience the Loy Krathong festival in Thailand for the first time. It happens to worship the water spirits and godesses and in Northern Thailand in Chiang Mai it is celebrated with the infamous floated lanterns. Whereas in Bangkok people come together around lakes, canals or rivers - wherever you find water - to float a "krathong". That is a kind of basket made traditionally out of banana leaves and flowers or bread. We went to the green lung of the city, the Lumpini Park, to partake at the lake. 

Entrance Lumpini Park

The crowd

We and one million other people, at least that is how it felt. But the park is very extensive and at the end it was a peaceful, pleasant atmosphere and we didn`t mind the crowd. Fortunately you could purchase your own krathong just in place at some sellers after the entrance. I bought one for each of us for incredible 50 THB (!). That is just a bit more than 1 € for a masterpiece made of banana leaves, flowers, candles, joss sticks and parts of a coconut. 

Amazing krathongs

Happy me with our krathongs

The idea behind setting this thing on the water is to let your negative thoughts, anger, fears, hatred and past resentments float away with it. Beautiful, isn`t it? We reached the lake and the scenery was magical. People sitting around the lake, letting their krathongs float and the candle lights in the dark on the lake. Now it was time to float ours even I found them almost too pretty to give them out of my hands.

Lumpini Lake

Let it go!

Happily we had a full moon night which made this moment even more special for us. I am falling deeper and deeper in love with this country, the people and their traditions. This is something I really miss in the Western culture. Keeping up with traditions, ceremonies and celebrate national holidays with your loved ones. 

So many colors

Full moon

Lumpini Lake fountain

Happy Loy Krathong!

What about you? How did you celebrate Loy Krathong (if you are a Bangkok resident) or do you think it is important to keep up with traditions?