One of the most popular festivals in early November is the Loy Kratong festival. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country. "Loy" mean "to float" and a " Krathong" is a lotus-shaped vessel made from banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a  candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.

           In fact, the festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, By moonlight, people light the candle and joss-sticks, make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have made for the new year due to start. Indeed, it is the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away.

The festival starts in the evening when there is full moon in the sky. People of all walks of life carry their Krathongs to nearby rivers. After lighting candles and joss-sticks and making a wish, they gently place the Krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight.

Beauty Queen Contest is an important part of the festival and  for this occasion it is called "The Noppamas Queen Contest". Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period. Old documents refer to her as the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai King named "Lithai".

          Noppamas was said have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion. In Bangkok, major establishments such as leading hotels and amusement parks organize their Loy Krathong Festival and the Krathong contest as major annual function.
          For visitors to Thailand, the Loy Krathong Festival is an occasion not the missed. The festival is listed in the tourist calendar. Everyone is invited to take and share the joy and happiness.

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