Night of A Thousand Floating Lanterns November 17 - 22, 2010

Loi Krathong Sai Festival, The Royal Trophy Loi Krathong Sai, Tak Province.

Night of A Thousand Floating Lanterns, November 17 - 22, 2010 On the Mae Ping River (in front of Kittikhun Hall)

In Tak province, the banana-leaf floats are replaced by coconut shells which are threaded together and launched simultaneously so they appear as long chains of hundreds of glittering lights on the Ping River, hence the origin of its name, "Loi Krathong Sai".

As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called "Loi Krathong" — the 'festival of lights". This is one of the Kingdom's oldest and best-preserved traditions.

Krathong floats in the shape of lotus blossoms are most popular and are made from materials easily found in each locality. Loi Krathong customs and traditions reflect local beliefs and cultural evolution and interesting regional variations can be seen.

In Tak province, the banana-leaf floats are replaced by coconut shells which are threaded together and launched simultaneously so they appear as long chains of hundreds of glittering lights on the Ping River, hence the origin of its name, "Loi Krathong Sai".

There are various accounts about the origins of Loi Krathong. However given the river-based culture that forms the foundation of the traditional Thai way of life, it is widely believed that these are offerings made to Mae Khongkha - Mother of Waters in an act of appeasement. Many also believe that by setting adrift the krathong, one symbollically casts away one's grief, misery and ill-fortunes.

Event Highlights

Procession of the Royal Krathong A procession of the auspicious royally bestowed flame for lighting the Loi Krathong Sai floats is followed by a procession of the Loi Krathong Sai floats.

Loi Krathong Sai Contest.  Entries are divided into the following categories:

• Loi Krathong Sai Procession
• Leading krathong (float)
• Closing krathong (float)

* Rituals are performed to seek forgiveness from Mae Khongkha — Mother of Waters

* The krathong sai rafts are set adrift.

* Stage performances provide lively entertainment. The sales of local village products and handicrafts promoted under the OTOP — One Tambon One Product — promotional campaign provides visitors with an opportunity to shop for best buys from the province.

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tak Office

Tel: +66 (0) 5551 4341-3

Fax: +66 (0) 5551 4344

E-mail: tattak@tat.or.th

Web site : www.tat.or.th/north04

IMPORTANT:

Event dates and programme details may be subject to change. Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Email: info@tat.or.th

Website: www.tat.or.th

Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)

Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)

FOR EVENT INFORMATION,

please call 1672.

Address:

1600 Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee

Bangkok 10400 Thailand