Loy Krathong Festival

Loy Krathong is celebrated on every full moon night of November to thank the goddess of the river for the use of the waterways by people. It is a celebrated nationwide but is particularly popular in Chiang Mai with the graceful Mae Ping River running through it. Festival goers set afloat a tiny boat or krathong , made of leaves or wax paper and containing lighted candles, joss sticks, flowers and coins as an offering to the river goddess. The krathong is also believed to bear away bad luck and misfortune with it. This all takes place in the light of the full moon and forms quite a spectacle with thousands of krathong candles floating down the river. Chiang Mai's unique contribution to this tradition is to decorate houses with colourful lanterns and to release many balloons into the sky bearing candles and fireworks, adding to the vibrant display.