Loy Krathong

After Thai massages, (in my case quite painful, but they just laughed at my groans), we took a Grab to Kannika’s house in Nonthaburi, a region north of Bangkok, though part of overall Bangkok metropolitan area. Kannika’s mother-in-law met us at the gate and showed us in. We had time for a quick rest, and then on to the festivities.

Kannika’s house is maybe a half block from the Chao Phraya River. Her husband, “My,” has family with housed right on the river. As Kannika (nick-named “Kook”) and My weren’t yet home, his mom took us to the festivities at one of the houses on the river.

First, they had Ellen gain a bit of merit by feeding the fish:

Then they started to stuff us with food, very similar to a potluck back home, where everyone had their specialty dish:

The sun was setting on the other side of the river.

Eventually, Kook arrived with her daughters Grace and Gail.

As it turns out, we happened to arrive on the final, major evening of the Loy Krathong festival, hence the big party.

Loy Krathong is a festival celebrated by the Thai people on the full moon night of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. It is always considered as an occasion for joy, gratitude, and new beginnings.

The term “Loy Krathong” is derived from word “loy”  – meaning “to float”- and the word “krathong” – which refers to type of small, floating religious offering. True to its name, the highlight of the festival is the floating of krathongs across small and large bodies of water all over the country. Before that, however, was a time for family to be together, and a traditional dance.

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Loy Krathong Festival

It is not unlike the Minnesota State Fair, though I have yet to see worms and crickets to be served there. Wall to wall people, food, games, entertainment. This area was once the City Hall area of Nonthaburi, with a strong Chinese influence.

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Krathong

There was a competition to make large-scale krathong:

And finally it was time to launch the family’s krathongs

And, of course, fireworks.