Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Understanding

   Loy Krathong is large festival in Thailand. I would like to give you the quick and easy information about Loy Krathong and Yee Peng festival.

   Loy Krathong Festival:
   In previous ages, Thai people have long been closely associated with rivers as Thailand is an agriculture based country. The river give much goodness to farmers as long as they respect the river as the GOD. Thai people decided to make the Krathong to worship and ask forgiveness in the ensuing pollution.

   The name "Loy Krathong" could be translated as "to float a basket". They make many Thai traditional decorated baskets which will be floated on river. Each basket contains a candle.

   Yee Peng Festival:
   According the Thai lunar calendar, the Loy Krathong festival coincides with the Lanna (Northern Thailand) festival known as Yee Peng. The festival is meant as the time for good wishes. We will launch lanterns into the sky after we wish or pray goodness. Follow me, the merit can understand as great time or great scene. Most tourist enjoy Yee Peng festival. They count down and release lanterns together and the scene is awesome.
   
   The lantern is made from a thin fabric such as rice paper, stretched over a bamboo or wide frame and a candle or fuel cell is attached. When the fuel cell is burned, the resulting hot air is trapped inside the lantern and creates enought lift for lantern to fly into the sky.

   Where is the festival celebrated? Loy Krathong isn't an official public holiday in Thailand. That means Thai people still work in day and celebrate Loy Krathong festival at night. You can enjoy Loy Krathong festival everywhere there is a river in Thailand as:

   In Bangkok City:

• Along Chao Phraya river: Asiatique, Wat Saket, Phra Athit Pier, Maharaj Lifestyle Mall.
• Popular lakes: Lumphini park (Silom street, Rama 4 road, Witthayu road), Benjasiri park (Sukhumvit street), Benjakiti park (Sukhumvit street).

   Phuket Island:

• Nai Harn Lake and Patong beach usually have the most activity with locals visiting beach from Kata and Karon areas.
• Two sites in Phuket town: Saphan Hin park and  Suan Luang (King Rama IX) park are popular places for local to celebrate.

   Surat Thani Province (departure point to Koh Samui, Koh Phan Nga, Koh Tao): Koh Lamphu Public park or Surat Thani market and along Na Muang street.

   Sukhothai Province: Sukhothai Historical Park in old town.

   Chiang Mai Province: along Ping river: Wat Fha Ham and Wichayanon street (Ton Lamyai Market and Wat Ket Karam). I refer Chiang Mai because I can join Loy Krathong and Yee Peng festival as they celebrate the two festivals at the same time.

   

   When is the festival celebrated? The date of Loy Krathong festival is based on the traditional Thai lunar calendar. That means the date changes every year depending on the full moon. Most of the time, it falls on the Western calendar full moon:

• 2018 November 21
• 2019 November 13
• 2020 November 01

   Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or experiences to share, please comment below. We will discuss it. I will update and post more experiences also, please follow Blog.