The people of Thailand and its visitors recently celebrated Loi Krathong, an ancient festival that falls on the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar, which is November in the Gregorian calendar. Three to five day festivals take place all over the country and one of the best places to take part in Loi Krathong is Chiang Mai, which includes the traditional Lanna ritual of launching paper lanterns (khom loi or khom yi-peng) and lighting fireworks. It is an unforgettable sight watch thousands of papers lanterns, some traling fireworks, fill the night sky.
Loi means to float and a krathong is a beautifully decorated float traditionally made from a banana tree trunk and decorated with flowers, leaves, a candle and often a coin. Floating a krathong provides an opportunity to let any negativity from the past float away and to renew optimism for the future.
