The history of Loi Krathong Festival
Loi Krathong festival is an ancient Thai tradition, which is takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month (usually November). It is a very beautiful scene, with the full moon shining down on the river, perfect for floating Krathong. Loi (ลอย) means 'to float', and Krathong (กระทง) is the item which is floated down the river (see further).
In the past, lanterns were floated as part of Brahmanism, to worship the Gods; Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma. When Thai people adopted Buddhism, they adapted this ceremony in reverence to the goddess of the Mae Khong river (Mekong).
Floating Krathong along the river was allegedly created by Nang Noppamas; the favourite concubine of a Sukhothai King (Loethai). She made Krathong lotus-shaped, and gave it to the king of Sukhothai to float along the river. According to Sri Chula Lucks treatise, Phra Ruang (a Sukhothai King) said, 'From now on, on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, kings of Siam have to make a lotus-shaped floating lantern, to worship for ever after'.
In Rattanakosin period, people often made big and beautiful Krathong. According to Chao Phraya Dhipharachawong's historical annals:
In the twelfth lunar month on 14 and 15 waxing moon, I ask for members of the royal family and civil servants to make big-sized Krathongs, look like banana trunk rafts, sized 8-9 sauk in width (an ancient Thai measure of length) and 10-11 sauk tall. Competitions developed: For example, some imitate Krathong shaped as Mount Meru, while others made Krathong as baskets decorated with flowers. There are a lot of people to do these so they use a lot of money- about 20 chung (an ancient measure of weight).
Nowadays, Loi Krathong festival is held mostly in the Thai provinces. Particularly Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai - there are Krathong parades, contests for making the best Krathong, and Noppamas beauty pageants.
The villagers in northern and north-eastern parts of Thailand also often send lanterns rising into the sky, made of coloured paper, to float across the heavens at night. The light from lanterns, with moonshine and stars glittering, can be seen for miles, and is very beautiful.
Reasons for Loi Krathong
- To ask for forgiveness from Pra Mae Khongkha (Goddess of the River Mae Khong) because we use and drink her water. Moreover, we often throw rubbish and other waste in the water.
- To worship the footprint of Buddha on the shore of Nammathanati River, in India.
- To get rid of misfortune, and sin - Bhraman ceremony.
Present day Loi Krathong
To this day, Thai people still keep the traditions - on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, people prepare natural materials to make Krathong. They use sections of banana tree trunk, and lotus flowers to make beautiful Krathong, adding candles, incense sticks, and sometimes coins. They always ask for good luck in the future and forgiveness from Pra Mae Khongkha.
At the Buddhist temples and tourist places, they hold the contests for making Krathong, and Noppamas beauty pageants. There are many entertainment shows at night, and fireworks are let off constantly. Due to the use of natural materials, the Krathong easily decomposes, becoming food for the fish in the river.
Loy Krathong song (Translated)
November full moon shines,
Loy Krathong, Loy Krathong,
and the water's high in the river and local klong,
Loy Loy Krathong, Loy Loy Krathong,
Loy Krathong is here and everybody's full of cheer,
We're together at the klong,
Each one with his krathong,
As we push away we pray,
We can see a better day.
How to make Krathong
Methods to make Krathong from banana leaves
The head of Krathong shall use a section of soft stem cut from a banana tree trunk, in round shape approx. 1-2.5” thick, covered with intricately folded banana leaves.
 Method 1: Petal Blossom
- Cut banana leaves to approx. 1.5” wide and 6” long
- Fold 3 petals according the illustrated picture
- Arranged as terraced lines according to the illustrated picture (see right)
- Attach around the Krathong base - the number of petals depends on the size of the base
- Decorate with flowers, joss sticks and candle.
Folding of petals in this pattern can be used jointly with other folding patterns in the same piece as desired.
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 Method 2: Rose Petal
- Cut banana leaves to approx. 1.5” wide and 6” long
- Fold 3 rose petals according to the second illustration, and arrange in rows as desired. The top of the petals and beds should be in the same line to give it a beautiful and orderly look.
- Use green or black thread to sew in straight line.
- Fold banana leaves and sew enough to cover around the Krathong base, attach to the base with pins, and then trim to the same level of the base. The finished Krathong should look like a crown
- Decorate with flowers, joss sticks and candle.
Folding of petals in this pattern can be used jointly with other folding patterns in the same piece as desired.
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 Method 3: Axe
- Cut banana leaves to approx. 1.5” wide and 6” long
- Fold 3 petals according to the illustrated picture and arrange in the same line with appropriate span. It is recommended to fold all the same size for a beautiful and orderly look.
- Use green or black thread to sew in straight line.
- Fold banana leaves and sew enough to cover around the Krathong base, attach to the base with pins, and then trim to the same level of the base. The finished Krathong should look like a basin
- Decorate with flowers, incense sticks and candle.
Folding of petals in this pattern can be used jointly with other folding patterns in the same piece as desired.
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