How To Celebrate Loy Krathong In Bangkok
Here’s a guide to the Thai festival of Loy Krathong and where to celebrate with kids in Bangkok.
Table of Contents
What is Loy Krathong?
Loy Krathong is a traditional Thai festival celebrated annually, typically in November. The name “Loy Krathong” translates to “float a basket” in Thai, referring to the way people float small, hand-made baskets (krathongs) made of banana tree trunks and covered with intricately folded banana tree leaves in water bodies such as ponds and lakes. It is decorated with bright flowers such as marigolds and orchids, three incense sticks, a candle, and sometimes coins as an offering. These components are all symbolic in Buddhism. The candle is a sign of knowledge, the incense sticks signify purity and the flowers represent monks as the students of lord Buddha.
Loy Krathong is a way to honor the Goddess of Water for providing life and sustenance and apologize for polluting water sources. It is also symbolic of letting go of past grievances and starting anew.
Krathongs are often personalised because they are also seen as a way of ridding oneself of sins and bad vibes; sometimes people will add strands of hair or nail clippings along with their coin offerings with the hope that negativity floats away and positive vibes are received instead. In recent years, krathongs have become super creative and interesting!
Where to buy krathongs?
You will find krathongs everywhere in the city on Loy Krathong. Many street vendors will have a variety of designs and types to choose from. You will also find lots of krathongs sold outside Benchasiri Park right next to the stairs leading up to the BTS.
Where to float krathongs (with kids)?
My favorite place to celebrate Loy Krathong is Benchasiri Park (next to Emporium) on Sukhumvit Road. To avoid the rush and crowds, go around 5 pm to get a spot to float your krathong and then stay on until sunset to enjoy the beauty of the warm glow of the candles reflected in the water and on the faces of those celebrating. It gets busy close to 6 pm, so plan accordingly, especially if you have young children. Avoid bringing strollers / scooters etc.
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