Loy Krathong Festival (Floating Lantern Festival), which takes place on the full moon night of the Thai traditional lunar calendar’s last month, celebrated on November 8 this year.
As part of the festival, which dates back to the 14th century, Thai people place handmade lanterns called “krathong” on lakes, rivers and even seas across the country, and pray or make a wish. In the making of krathongs, Thai people use leaves of banana and coconut trees that are decorated with various flowers, leaves, incense, candles and even personal items.
In Thai schools, students make their own krathong decorations, and they are getting more and more interesting every year. Especially in recent years, lanterns that are made of bread attract great attention as they do not pollute the waters and fishes can feed on them.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also celebrated the festival by placing a krathong into the lake of the government building’s garden. Prayut said that he wished happiness for Thai people.