Let there be light

Tonight, the full moon will be shining over Thailand and Thais will be turning out to waterways all over the country to celebrate the much-loved Loy Krathong Festival. Also known as the Festival of Light, this ancient ritual is held annually to honour “Ganga” – the Goddess of the River.

As befitting the Festival of Lights, all manner of torches, oil lamps, illuminated floats, small hot-air balloons and fireworks light up the night.

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

While we’re not so sure if Ganga will actually be prepared to bless us with forgiveness and forget what we have done to her waterways, what is certain is that there will be plenty of entertainment and cultural shows.

Check out the venues below for the best place to celebrate.

 

BANGKOK

Bangkokians will bring light to the Chao Phraya River tonight with a spectacular visual showcase. Feast your eyes on illuminated barges with different themes all along the river from the Memorial Bridge to Krungthep Bridge. The centre stage will be Nagaraphirom Park – a short walk from the Grand Palace and Wat Pho Temple – from where thousands of illuminated krathong will be seen floating against the backdrop of Wat Arun. Adding colour to the night are such cultural shows as masked dances, puppet shows, old-fashioned dance and music, illuminated floats on the Chao Phraya and, of course, fireworks. It’s the best free show in the city tonight.

 

SAMUT SONGKHRAM

If the goddess of the 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 the 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 tonight 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.

 

CHIANG MAI

People in the Northern city of Chiang Mai have romantic ideas when it comes to the Festival of Light. They connect earth with sky through flying lanterns known as khom loy 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. Check the temples in the old town, where you can see monks and residents revive the traditional ceremony. People will also hang elaborate lanterns outside their homes. 

 

AYUTTHAYA

Tonight the loveliest scenes can be found in all four corners of the old city, but the Royal Arts and Crafts Centre in Bang Sai is the best place to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Festivities include a lantern competition, a Miss Noppamas pageant and cultural performances. 

 

SUKHOTHAI

Siam kingdom's first capital is credited as the birthplace of Loy Krathong, so you can expect full honours paid to the legacy 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. 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 and ooh and aah over a curtain-of-water display.

 

KHON KAEN

Head to Khon Kaen University’s Sithan KKU Festival tonight for a different type of festival. The celebration brings together old and new by combining spiritual rites to appease the goddess of the river with live concerts from GMM.