What is Loy Kratong in Thailand?
Is Loy Krathong a Buddhist Holiday in Thailand?
Loy Kratong in Thailand, or loy Krathong, is traditionally performed on the night of the full moon during the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls in November, but varies from year to year. It also varies from country to country in Asia, and how they celebrate it, but this article will focus on Thailand.
Where does Loy Krathong Tradition Originate in Thailand?
There are so many versions of where the real Loy Kratong in Thailand comes from and nobody really knows. Some say it came from the Sukhothai Kingdom, and some say it was from the Khmer; but the Khmer Kingdom was Thailand before it became Sukhothai Kingdom. With everybody holding their grounds being proud of their origin we cannot be certain. If you look at the words loy or loy spelled ??? has the meaning ‘to float’, while krathong (?????) means leaves or similar, so there is room for interpretation.
Loy Kratong in Thailand and Buddha
The original version of loy Krathong is from the celebration of Buddha’s footsteps in India, or former Nepal on the beach of the Narmada River. In almost every Asian country where Buddhism is spread, there is at least one of the supposed impressions of the Buddha’s foot. According to the Buddhist tradition of Ceylon, the Buddha is supposed to have impressed his footprint on the bank of the Narmada River in South India. Some other people say it is to pay respect to one of his disciples, Phra Auppakuith.
Lord Buddha was Never in Thailand
To be very clear, there are a lot of footsteps in Thailand, probably thousands of them. However, according to history, Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was never in Thailand. Same as Jesus, the son of God, was never in America, nor born in America. Instead, the footsteps should be seen as inspiration to follow in Lord Buddha’s footsteps and walk in the light of Buddha.
Modern Loy Krathong
Now Most Thai people celebrate the loy Krathong to leave the bad behind them and attract good things for the year to come. Thais put flowers and candles in boats made of banana leaves, or bread, and float them in the rivers or any waterway they can. Some use dams or if you don’t have a waterway close by even a swimming pool will do.
It is really a lovely sight, and some Thai people also associate loy Krathong with love because of the romantic feeling. Some believe that couples can get an insight into the future of their relationships by watching whether their krathongs float together or drift apart. Since most of the Krathongs put into the sea flip over after a few minutes, that might not be the best way to read the future.
Some people put money in the boat to make more money, and the money is quickly snapped up by children swimming in the water helping people to float their Loy Krathong boats.
Nowadays, the Thai have added high flying lanterns with hot air, as well and fireworks in the evening and treat it as a family holiday. For some, it is just another excuse for people to have a good time and party. The flying lantern is of course forbidden in most parts of Thailand due to fire hazard, but they are used by most anyway, this is Thailand after all!
I wouldn’t call it a Buddhist holiday in Thailand since none of the Thais I know celebrate in that way, but maybe a Thai cultural and heritage day with an ounce of Buddhism. Whatever loy Krathong means to you and your Thai friends, just enjoy the evening and follow what the Thai do. For an accurate date of Loy Kratong in Thailand visit https://www.tourismthailand.org/home website. If you cannot make your own Krathong, they sell them everywhere on the way to the water. Your experience with the Thai loy Krathong will be one to remember. Also check this for a fast fix to Loy Krathong.
Happy Loy Krathong Everybody!
