Video Report: Light up the night with Loy Krathong

PHUKET: Tourists and island residents don’t have to go far to explore the wonders of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage as one of the country’s most romantic, tranquil and beautiful holidays is just around the corner.

Loy Krathong, the ‘Festival of Light’, takes place on the full moon of the 12th lunar month of the year,
falling this year on November 25, next Wednesday.

The holiday will see events, contests and krathong releases throughout the island.

Loy literally means ‘to float’, while krathong refers to the lotus-shaped vessels that are traditionally made of banana leaves and contain candles, joss sticks and small offerings of food and flowers.

Traditionally, thousands of people across the nation release the krathong onto rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea. The offerings are made to give thanks to the goddess of water and to seek forgiveness for past misdeeds.

Young couples can be seen, especially by the water at Saphan Hin, floating krathong and lighting up khom loi lanterns to release into the sky – an act thought by many to bring good luck and love to those who take part in the festival together.

The festival usually includes beauty pageants, fireworks and krathong-making contests using materials such as banana leaves, cross-sections of banana tree trunks, coconut bark or paper.

Schedule of Loy Krathong in Phuket:

Patong

Nov 25, 6pm – midnight: At the police box at the end of Soi Bangla, there will be a Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for children, a krathong contest, cultural performances by students from Thaksin University Songkhla campus, as well as an adult Miss Noppamas beauty pageant.

Karon / Kata

Nov 21 – 25, 6pm – 11pm: At the Nong Harn Park, there will be food vendors, One Tambon One Province (OTOP) vendors and cultural performances.

Nov 25, 6pm – 11pm: At the Nong Harn Park, there will be a Miss Noppamas beauty pageant and other cultural performances.

Rawai / Nai Harn

Nov 23, 6pm – midnight: At Nai Harn Lake, there will be a Look Thoong sining competition.
Nov 24, 6pm – midnight: At Nai Harn Lake, there will be a Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids.
Nov 25, 6pm – midnight: At Nai Harn Lake, there will be a krathong contest and Miss Noppamas beauty pageant.

Chalong

Nov 24, 5:30pm – midnight: At the field opposite Ladthiwanaram Temple ‘Wat Tai’, there will be a krathong contest and a Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids.

Nov 25, 5:30pm – midnight: At the field opposite Ladthiwanaram Temple ‘Wat Tai’, there will be a Miss Noppamas beauty pageant.

Phuket City

Nov 24, 9am: There will be readings of morale tales at the Information and Communication Technology Center.
Nov 24, 7pm – midnight: At Saphan Hin, there will be a Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids.
Nov 25, 9am: At Saphan Hin, there will be a krathong competition and drawing contests.
Nov 25, 4pm – midnight: At Saphan Hin, there will be a Loy Krathong parade and celebrations
Nov 25, 5pm – 10pm: At Boat Plaza, there will be an adult and children’s Miss Noppamas beauty pageant.

Cherng Talay

Nov 25, 6pm – 11pm: At Wat Bangtao, there will be prayers and merit making opportunities.

Srisoonthorn

Nov 23 – 25, 5:30pm – midnight: At the Bang Maruan Lagoon, there will be stage performances as part of the ‘Remembering the Bang Maruan Mine of Yesteryear’ Festival. Organizers will additionally be showing classic Thai movies on the big screen and vendors will be selling OTOP products.
Nov 23, 5:30pm – midnight: At the Bang Maruan Lagoon, there will be a krathong contest, Loy Krathong Parade and a performance by famous Look Thoong singer Sornchai Mekvichean.
Nov 24, 5:30pm – midnight: At the Bang Maruan Lagoon, there will be a Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids.
Nov 25, 5:30pm – midnight: At the Bang Maruan Lagoon, there will be a conert by Look Thoong singer Oijai Danisan.

Thepkrasattri

Nov 25, 9am: At Moo Baan Tha Maprao, there will be sea boxing competitions, boat racing and swimming competitions.
Nov 25, 5:30pm – midnight, at Moo Baan Tha Maprao, there will be Miss Noppamas beauty pageant for kids, krathong contest and stage performances.

— Kongleaphy Keam