In Thailand, the end of the monsoon is celebrated by the Loy Krathong Festival. After the rainy season, the celebration is under the first full moon.
I was able to attend the festival on my first trip to Thailand. We asked the locals in Bangkok to go to celebrate Loy Khartong and said that the best solution was to go north to Chiang Mai where the most spectacular festival would be held.
In Northern Thailand, this full moon festival is known as Yee Peng. It was held on November 7-9 in 2003 and was celebrated by the whole city. Festivals, art exhibitions and concerts were held in the morning and at night. People arrived in Chiang Mai in different countries. The city was ready to welcome its guests. The guarded restaurant has transformed a large terrace area and tasted the tastes to taste the various dishes. Beer and soft drinks were sold from ice chambers to markets and river banks. Colored lamps decorated the houses.
The most interesting and attractive festivals were in the evenings. On the waterfront, people lit white paper lights – hot air balloons – and then let go of them, so they fly up in the sky. It was a wonderful sight! Fireworks, firecrackers – carnival atmosphere. The local youth seemed to be particularly pleased with the scare of unsuspecting adults when they threw their feet grimly. It was a good time for everyone. Usually, the reserved Thais stopped on the street to talk to us and wish us a nice day.
For the fire brigade this was probably the busiest time of the year … We saw a hot air balloon clinging to the top of the wooden house and almost set it to fire. It is said that many homes burned at these festivals. Part of the tradition is that a large and decorative raft, the krathong, descends into the river. Hovering over the water, there were hundreds of small flower arrangements that were mounted on banana leaves and a candle and incense stick in the middle. They are sold on the market, and we also bought it on request, as usual.
There was a beauty contest at the festival … The organizers got into a lot of trouble – we saw that during the glorious parade. The swimmers had topics like a princess in a rose garden, a snow queen in her realm, a peacock throne. Participation at the Loy Krathong Festival was an unforgettable experience for us. If you are in Thailand or during the full moon festival, we recommend you visit Chiang Mai.
Source by Liz Saarelainen