Holidays in Thailand - Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in Chiang Mai
Loy Krathong was celebrated in Chiang Mai for three days in a row. To be honest, we found out about him, purely by accident. When they tried to buy tickets for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai train, and there were no tickets for the near future, everyone went to the holiday in the north of Thailand. I suppose that it is in Chiang Mai that this action takes place most enchanting.
Therefore, for those who are going to Chiang Mai at this time, I recommend that you think about accommodation in advance. For example, book a hotel on RoomGuru. You can familiarize yourself with guesthouses in the center of Chiang Mai by reading our overview of guesthouses.
On the day of the holiday, everyone knew about him, even those who did not want to know anything. Every minute firecrackers exploded in the streets, rockets were launched and fireworks thundered. Therefore, there were only two options, either try to sleep, or go and join.
Here at this link there is information (in English, however) regarding both holidays in 2012 and the schedule of all events.
Loy krathong festival
Loy Kratnog is an ancient holiday in Thailand that symbolizes the end of the rainy season and is held in November. Loy means sail, Krathong is a small boat. All local residents buy small kratongs and lower them into the water, thereby thanks to the goddess of water for the rains and releasing all their sins and sorrows along with the floating raft. Reminiscent of the holiday of Ivan Kupala. Loy Krathong is as important a holiday for Thais as the New Year.
Krathongs are made and sold locally
Launching a krathong on a long journey
Krathongs float on water, taking all troubles away
Candles are burning throughout the city, both inside houses and on the streets, and paper figures of local folklore glow on the river channel.
Candles all over Chiang Mai
Glowing figures on the water
Luminous figures all over Chiang Mai
All Chiang Mai is on fire
Yee peng festival
In Chiang Mai at the same time, the Yee Peng festival is also held. Thousands of rice paper lanterns soar into the sky, it looks especially beautiful against the black sky. This action symbolizes the ascension of some Buddhist saint to heaven..
Folded lanterns sell at every corner
Police officers help to fire the lanterns correctly
We are waiting for the hot air to fill the entire space
Launching a burning structure into the sky
The burning flashlight flies into the sky
Lanterns ply across the black sky
Thais, as I understand it, love to have fun. Therefore, they organize holidays in Thailand on their own, including Loy Krathong - they launch kratongs on long voyages and balloons into the heavens, explode millions of kilograms of pyrotechnics. Organized - it's just a parade on the embankment, and dancing on public stages. Although I would not be surprised if this was done practically without the participation of the authorities..
Dancing in public areas
Dancing in public areas
Musical group
There is something to eat at every corner
I have always thought that monasticism is something humble. However, seeing how the Buddhist monks-children celebrate Loy Krathong, I wondered if my childhood passed the right way, and whether it’s time to go into religion before it’s too late. The noise from them was even greater than from the crowds of people on the embankment near Foot Bridge, and watching passers-by jump up from the explosion of firecrackers is a favorite thing. Near a Buddhist temple, one could launch a lantern into the sky at a speculative price of 80 baht, when everywhere a similar one cost 35 baht..
The kids are launching lanterns into the sky
Kids launch lanterns into the sky - Loy Krathong and Yee Peng festival
Buddhist temple
Lanterns near a Buddhist temple
Despite the good atmosphere and beauty of the holiday, it is quite difficult to be in a crowd, especially in places where the epicenter of fun is - a crush, very noisy, you constantly jump from explosions next to you, and flying and burning structures strive to fall on your head. However, I was glad that there were no deranged drunk people and fights.
All Chiang Mai gathered on the waterfront
The whole crowd walks together and launches flashlights
I wonder how many people were injured in the end, I personally saw how a burning lantern almost flew into the window of the house. In general, we were enough for about half an hour in the center of the holiday, the rest of the time we just walked around the city watching the processions of burning balloons plying across the sky.