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November 26, 2005 - Loy Krathong! Loy Krathong is a Thai festival to pay tribute to the River Goddess. It is celebrated on the day of the full moon in November, which this year fell on November 16. On Loy Krathong day, the students of SBW had a full day of activities. Each class prepared a krathong for the school contest. A krathong is made from a banana tree, bread or styrofoam and then decorated with flowers and leaves. |
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| I had a lot of fun watching the students work together to build their krathongs. Most thai students really enjoy doing things together. Half the time, they played around and threw flowers at each other. That is about the ratio of play-to-work in class also. I can only laugh and watch my students thow clay balls or run around during class. Well, at least when I am the only one there. I was really amazed by their creativity and artistry. Look below to see a few examples... |
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| After the krathongs were judged for beauty and creativity, they were set to launch. At school, we launched our krathongs in our pond. It was funny to watch some of the beautiful krathongs launch and immediately sink! The students kept on laughing because it is part of our Thai culture to say in the face of disaster, "mai pen rai" (it doesn't matter). | |||||||||
| Traditionally, the krathongs are launched at night on the river. Each person puts some hair, a piece of nail and some coins in their krathong for good luck. Each krathong also gets 3 joss (incense) sticks and a candle so it looks pretty as you launch it down the river. Before launching the krathong, each person makes a wish for the new year. The krathong is believed to have the power to carry away the bad spirits of the old year. |
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| That's how we celebrated Loy Krathong in Saraburi! |
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