Floats of fancy

Tomorrow night, as the full moon rises in the night sky, millions of Thais will head to the banks of rivers and canals to celebrate the country’s much-loved festival – Loy Krathong. 

As they kneel by the water preparing to launch the small floats known as krathong, they will be asking the forgiveness of Ganga – the goddess of the river – for their transgressions, including polluting the water, of the past year.

Will the goddess of river bless us with forgiveness and forget what we have done to the waterways? The answer is unfathomable really, but what is certain is that there will be plenty of entertainment and cultural shows.

The same pleas and petitions will be repeated across the country, and in the larger centres, they’ll be punctuated with the dazzle and roar of fireworks and lasers. Here’s an overview of some of the bigger celebrations.

 

BANGKOK

If there is a spiritual guardian in the river, its godmother must surely live in the Chao Phraya. Tonight and tomorrow night, Bangkokians will bring light to the river spirit with spectacular showcases. Feast your eyes on illuminated barges with different themes all along the Chao Phraya River from the Memorial Bridge to Krungthep Bridge. The centre stage will be Nagaraphirom Park from where you can see thousands of illuminated krathong float against the backdrop of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Asiatique, the Riverfront is also throwing what promises to be the year’s best party to date, with a series of cultural shows, performances and fireworks. This year the festival also coincides with Harmony World Puppet Carnival and the puppet masters are working their magic around Rattanakosin Island locale. 

 

CHIANG MAI

People in the Northern city of Chiang Mai turn Loy Krathong upside-down, releasing their offerings into the heavens rather than on the water. The sky in Chiang Mai will be brightly lit as local Lanna folk launch lanterns – home-made hot-air balloons known as khom loi – to glorify the mythical Chulamanee Pagoda in heaven. The venues are Tha Phae Gate and along the banks of the Ping River, where cultural shows and processions will also take place. However, your best bet might be the temples, where you can see monks and residents revive the traditional Yi Peng ceremony. People will also be hanging elaborate lanterns outside their homes. If you want to be in the thick of things, head to bustling Ngua Lai Street near the Tha Phae Gate.

 

AYUTTHAYA

Tonight and tomorrow night the loveliest scenes promise to be at all four corners of the old city. Festivities include a lantern competition, a Miss Noppamas pageant and cultural performances. In addition, the Royal Arts and Crafts Centre in Bang Sai will organise “The Candlelight of Loy Kratong Festival 2014” to honour the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday. Check it out for traditional Loy Krathong festivities as well as musical shows featuring songs from yesteryear. 

 

SUKHOTHAI

The place where it all began is probably the best place to celebrate. The Thai kingdom’s first capital is credited as the birthplace of Loy Krathong, so you can expect full honours paid to the legacy tomorrow’s night in the Sukhothai Historical Park, a Unesco World Heritage site. Against a backdrop of the ancient ruins, the highlights include a light-and-sound cultural show, fireworks and onstage performances. Look out for the Miss Noppamas beauty pageant. Legend has it that Noppamas was a consort of the 14th-century king of Sukhothai, Loethai. She supposedly sowed the seeds for the Loy Krathong tradition by being the first person to float a decorated raft.

 

TAK

The northern province of Tak has a unique take on Loy Krathong with its tradition of krathong sai, or krathong “strings”. The locals tie together entire fleets of coconut-shell lanterns fuelled by paraffin, light the wicks and float them down the river. The best place to be is the Sompot Krung Rattanakosin 200 Years Bridge, where you can admire the fireworks, ooh and aah over a curtain-of-water display and cheer for your favourite krathong sai.

 

SAMUT SONGKHRAM

If the goddess of river grants her forgiveness to anyone, the folks in Samut Songkram will surely be the first in the line. Simple, humble and packed with unspoilt charm, Samut Songkhram province goes green and traditional as it shows respect to goddess of river. A few years ago, the locals reinvented their krathong using just banana leaves and candles. The simple krathong has since won many environment-friendly fans and become an archetype of the offering. The festival will take place tomorrow’s night at King Rama II Park and features a khon performance, puppet show and showcase of banana art to add colour to the full moon night.