This festival marks the end of the rainy season, which is always a cause for celebration. It is believed that Loy Krathong, or ‘the festival of light,’ originated in the ancient city of Sukhothai.
It is not necessarily a religious holiday, but you will see many Thais praying to the water goddess, Mae Khongkha, as they send their decorated ‘boats’ down the river. Many Thais will give thanks to the water goddess for the fortune of having water while others will ask for forgiveness for using too much or contaminating it.
Candles are lit and put atop gracefully decorated boats, which are then sent down bodies of water. Each candle has a prayer, memory, or wish attached to it as it makes it way down whatever body of water it finds itself on.
That is the basic idea of the entire festival: it is a new beginning of sorts. Thais and foreigners participating in the festival let go of whatever their misfortunes are and let the water carry them downstream and away for good.
Burning incense and lighted candles cover the tops of the krathongs, which are the circular objects, usually made of banana leaves and flowers, floating down the river. Loy means ‘to float.’ It is certainly an amazing sight to watch thousands of lighted banana-leaf boats float down waterways.
The Hua Hin Municipality has announced five main venues where the annual Loy Krathong Festival celebrations will be held on Tuesday 8th November.
The locations have been designated to avoid overcrowding and traffic congestion. The municipality has asked the public to follow the standard safety health measures such as wearing of masks and social distancing.
The municipality also asked for cooperation in making the Krathong with natural materials to protect the environment.
There will also be food stalls and shops selling various products in these areas.
• Hua Don Beach, Khao Takiab (near the ferry pier)
• Queen Sirikit Park, Soi 19
• Nong Kae Community
• Khao Takiab Community
• Khao Tao Reservoir (see video below)
The focus for activities in Cha-Am is at the northern end of the beach where there is water flowing to the ocean near the bridge passing over the beach road.
