One of the biggest festivals in Thailand is Loy Krathong, celebrating different aspects of the Buddha’s life during the full moon in November.
“Krathong” translates to banana leaf and is also the word used for the floating lanterns. People decorate their krathong with flowers, incense, candles, and even sometimes with an offering of money for the river goddess. They light the candles, make a wish, and place it in the water, letting go of negativity as it floats away. Buddhist temples and sites around town get beautifully decorated with hundreds of lanterns too.
I was in Chiang Mai to celebrate Loy Krathong this year, and it was a beautiful experience! Cream and I went all around the city to the places in the photos below.
Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Tha Pae Gate Three Kings Monument Plaza Three Kings Monument Plaza Three Kings Monument Plaza Three Kings Monument Plaza Suan Dok Gate Suan Dok Gate Sparklers at home! Decorating the garage Kad Ba Paw Market Kad Ba Paw Market Kad Ba Paw Market Kad Ba Paw Market Kad Ba Paw Market Kad Ba Paw Market Kad Ba Paw Market Kad Ba Paw Market Wat Lok Moli Wat Lok Moli Wat Lok Moli Wat Lok Moli Wat Lok Moli Wat Lok Moli Wat Lok Moli Many walkway bridges around the old town are decorated with these krathong Streetfood by the river Nakhon Ping Bridge U.S. Embassy Krathong floating along the Ping River Ping River Iron Bridge Krathong in the river Iron Bridge Iron Bridge Ping River Iron Bridge