Loykrathong Festival

On the Full moon of the 12th month as Thai Lunar Calendar is Thai Festival called Loy Kratohng

The full moon on the 12th month as Thai Lunar Calendar, which it usually on November.

This Loykrathong is one of Thai old custom, it has been known from Sukkhothai Age until today time this festival still passing down to many parts of Thailand that include in Bangkok.
The purpose of this Loykrathong festival is to ask the forgiven from the Queen of River named Kongka Queen, worship of the Buddha footprint, to let the vessels (Krathong the vessel like structure made from the banana leaves) take all the bad things that happen to you away etc. These activities usually will be held on the 12th month by according to lunar calendar it normally on the November

History and background

1. Loykrathong festival is to ask the forgiven from the Queen of the River
2. Loykrathong festival is for worship the God as the Brahman aspect of Phra Naray who has been sleeping under the ocean
3. Loykrathong festival is to welcome back the Buddha after he had been please hi mother at the heaven
4. Loykrathong festival is to worship the Buddha footprint at the Nummatanatee River Banks when Buddha went to please Thamma to Naga world
5. Loykrathong festival is to worship Phra Juramanee in the haven as Buddha hair storage
6. Loykrathong festival is to worship Teo Pagaprom( who looking after the Prommalok heaven) at the Prommalok level of heaven
7. Loykrathong festival is to worship Phra Aubbakubtatere which been meditated in the deeper part of the Ocean .

History of Loykrathong festival in Thailand

The Loykrathong festival has been started since Sukkhothai Age or called Light Loykrathong or Light festival (Loy Khom) as a festivity for all people in Thailand. Also they have another activity called Miss Nuppamas beauty contest or lady Srijuraluk servant of Phra Roung she had crated the vessel of lotus pattern instead of the Loy Khom. These Loykrathong and Loykhom in the Age of Miss. Nuppamas was held to worship of the Buddha footprint at Nummatanatee River Banks, it is one of the river that located in Tukkinabod region of India and it's now called Neraputta River.

Loykrathong festival is to worship the Buddha footprint

The footprint of Buddha that appears in the Nummatanatee River Banks has the history as: Once upon a time when King Naga had invited the Buddha come to chanting to please the Naga world. When the Buddha about to going back the Naga King had asked him to leave something for them as memorial so he had left his footprint at the banks of that river.

Northern Loykrathong festival (Yee Ping)

Northern Loykrathong festival usually it take place in Yee Ping month (is the 2nd month

as they two month faster than us) to worship Phraaubakub and they believe that Phra Aubbakubtatere which been meditated in the deeper part of the Ocean as Burma aspect.

Loykrathong festival in Esan is called Light Boat Festival is one of largest festival in Nakhonpanom Province, made the Naga and other images form banana stem or any others stock. On the nighttime they will light the Krathong and let in floating all over the Khong River made the atmosphere more spectacular.

This Krathong festival might probably come from that people who are farmer. Since water is most important key of growing plant and fertility. So they have vessel floating on the river to thanks the Queen of River or God of River. Also to ask for the forgiven when they have bath at the River or even when they have unintended or intend through any rubbish into the river. Include the worship of God till the Footprint of Buddha etc. as any aspect or belief.
After the Krathong festival they will have other festivity such as original Thai gatherings and boat sing a song festival etc. as the custom that been pass down from the old time.

Esan (North East of Thailand) Loykrathong festival (light boat festival)

1. To ask the forgiven from Queen of River, worship of Buddha footprint, and others God as the belief
2. To conserve Thai custom from extinguish
3. To deserve the value of water or rivers and Canals which is life supporter.