Loi Krathong

Last Wednesday, I, along with the rest of Thailand, celebrated Loi Krathong, Thailand’s annual Festival of Lights. In a nutshell, Loi Krathong is an opportunity to celebrate and pay respect to the Goddess of Water, as well as a chance for people to symbolically release their troubles by floating krathongs (small rafts traditionally made from banana leaves carrying offerings of incense, lotus flowers, and candles) on a river or lake.

Around lunchtime I was escorted to festival headquarters a couple miles from school. It wasn’t actually called “festival headquarters” but it was definitely the to-be place in town. I liken it to county fairgrounds – lots of people, food, tents, etc. The parade began here, too. Yes, there was a parade, and it was mighty. Three hours of mightiness. I don’t know where all the parade participants and bystanders came from! Khaowong is so small, yet this festival attracted thousands. Floats from several area schools and villages rolled through town, stopping frequently and partying up a storm. Men and women of all ages were drinking and dancing in the streets, and families watched from the sidelines. Several students marched in the parade, too, wearing traditional Thai clothing and performing traditional dances in unison.

When late afternoon hit, we went home to rest up for the evening festivities, the part that actually involves a body of water. My school had its own celebration/ceremony outside on school grounds. Several tables were lined with finger foods and krathongs available for sale. A large stage was set up where a variety of mediocre high school garage bands serenaded us through the night. Other highlights included the Loi Krathong beauty pageant and traditional Thai dance performance. I was invited to join in during the dance portion. I’m sure I looked really ridiculous! I don’t know how those girls bend their fingers so far backwards! It was a lot of fun, though. Throughout the evening, a smattering of fireworks and hot-air lanterns were set off into the night sky and people released their candle-lit krathongs on the school’s lake. It was quite a sight. A beautiful ending to a lovely day.