Loykrathong Festival

Chiang_rai trip: The best time to visiting the northern part of Thailand during the months of October to February, when the climate cool and it is the high season for northern. The festivals of Chiangrai help you catch a glimpse of the rich culture of Thailand.


Loy-kra-thong festival is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai Lunar calendar.In the western calendar this usually falls in November.

"Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions use specially made bread 'flowers' and may use styrofoam), decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc.

During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river. Governmental offices, corporations and other organizations also build much bigger and more elaborate rafts, and these are often judged in contests. In addition,fireworks and beauty contests take place during the festival.

There are the integrating arts to make the Krathong from several countries on the Mae Khong River bank, including Thai, China, Lao, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. For example the phoenix, it is a bird of paradise. Some of them are made by the combination of arts from Thai, Myanmar, and Lao. The other phonixes are made by the combination of arts from China and Vietnam. Also,some parts of the decorative design are inspired by Cambodia's art. In addition, every part of the Kratong in handmade work.