Krathong Lesson

Pattern 3: AxeMethod:
1. Cut banana leaves to approx. 1.5” wide and 6” long
2. Fold 3 petals according to the illustrated picture and arrange in the same line with appropriate span. It is recommended to fold all the same size for beautiful and orderly look.
3. Use green or black thread to sew in straight line.
4. Fold banana leaves and sew to long enough to cover around the Kra Thong base and attach to the Kra Thong base with pins and then trim to the same level of its base. The finished Kra Thong is looked like a basin.
5. Decorate with flowers, joss sticks and candle.
Folding of petal in this pattern can be used jointly with other folding patterns in the same piece as desirable or individual idea.

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Krathong Lesson

Pattern 2: Rose petalMethod:
1. Cut banana leaves to approx. 1.5” wide and 6” long
2. Fold 3 rose petals according to the illustrated picture and arrange in row with appropriate span as desired. The top of the petals and beds should be in the same line to beautiful and orderly look.
3. Use green or black thread to sew in straight line.
4. Fold banana leaves and sew to long enough to cover around the Kra Thong base and attach to the Kra Thong base with pin and then trim to the same level of its base. The finished Kra Thong is looked like a crown,
5. Decorate with flowers, joss sticks and candle.
Folding of petal in this pattern can be used jointly with other folding patterns in the same piece as desirable or individual idea.

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Krathong Lesson

Pattern 1: Flower petal Method:
1. Cut banana leaves to approx. 1.5” wide and 6” long
2. Fold 3 petals according the illustrated picture
3. Arranged as terraced lines according to the illustrated picture as count as 1 level.
4. Attach around the Kra Thong base which is the sliced banana stalk of approx. 1.5-2” thick. The number of petals shall be more or less depending on the size of its base
5. decorate with flowers, joss sticks and candle.
Folding of petal in this pattern can be used jointly with other folding patterns in the same piece as desirable or individual idea

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Lantern Festival Songkhla

Date 1 November 2008 - 28 February 2009 (Paricitpate 12 November, 2008)
16:00 - 22:00 Hrs.
Venue Hat Yai City Municipality Park, Hat Yai District, Songkhla
Highlights: FREE Admission!
Features the wonderful creative lantern in various forms i.e. fabulous international lantern, Amazing fowl & animal, World of kids as well as contemporary style.

For Furture Information, please contact

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Loi Krathong Tam Prathip (Bangsai Royal Folks Arts and Crafts Centre)

In Ayutthaya age, it was appeared in the report that “Lantern and Light Festival” was suspended after Thai had lost our Ayutthaya city and left only the tradition of the peoples, but it is now restored and reproduces to allow the publics and tourists to experience the elegant atmosphere of the ancient royal court which is the great festival of the country.
Loi Krahong Krung Kao (Old Ayutthaya Style of Loi Krathong)Date: 12 November, 2008
Venue: Thung Phukhao Thong Area, beside King Naraesuan the Great Memorial Statue, Ayutthaya
Highlights: Enjoy and experience the Ayutthaya Style of Loi Krathong, feast your eyes on the cultural performances and entertainments as well as food and goods fair.
Loi Krathong at 4 Corners of the Old City (Ayutthaya)
Date: 12 November, 2008
Venue: 4 corners of Ayutthaya, i.e. under Pridi-Thamrong Bridge; Pom Petch; in front of National Museum-Chandrakasem; and in front of Chedi Si Suriyothai.
Highlights: This is a memorable event for you to experience the contest of hanging lanterns, small-size Krathong contest, Miss Noppamas (international) beauty contest, Noppamas kids contest, singing contest, cultural performances, and OTOP products.

For further Information please contact:
Ayutthaya Tourist Centre
Tel: 66 (0) 3524 2730-1

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Loi Krathong Sai Festival Tak

"The thousands lantern Loi krathong Tradition"
The ancient tradition of Tak province with specific characteristic different from other places, namely, Krathong is made of coconut covers as major element because Tak peoples like to have “Miang” (a kind of Thai hors d'oeuvre) as refreshments and produces as important native products. Since lot of coconuts are used to make Miang stuffs. The coconut covers are therefore used to make Krathong with lighting to float along the water until becoming several thousands lanterns procession floating along the water and it is very beautiful scene that rarely seen. In this 2005, Tak province shall hold good and interesting activities to welcome the visitors for longer period than the previous years.
Date 8 - 12 November 2008
Venue Banks of Ping River,Tak
Highlights : An exceptional opportunity for you to experience the atmosphere of joining the Krathong Sai (floating coconut-shell krathong in line) contest, in order to win His Majesty the King’s trophy. Other remarkable activities will include the floating lanterns of the Royal Family, the procession of the Royal Krathong and lantern, the illumination of Krathong Sai, light and sound presentation, fireworks, water curtain presentation in “The Legend of Krathong Sai”, the longest Krathong Sai, local cultural shows, food and OTOP products.
On Saturday 8th November 2008 at 18.00 hr.
The Parades of invitation His Majesty the Royal lamps, Royal Krathong, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Cup, and 15 teams of Krathong Sai parades. Opening ceremony of competition on Floating Krathong Sai with A Thousand lights at Mae Ping River Centre Stage.

On Sunday 9 - Wednesday 12 November 2008
Compitition on floating Krathong Sai with a thousand lights to be awarded His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Cup 4 teams each night.

For Furture Information, please contact
TAT Tak
Tel : +66 5551 4341-3

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Yipeng Festival Chiang Mai

In addition, it is the great festival of Lanna duly succeeded from ancient age. “Yi Peng” or full-moon day of second lunar month of Lanna villagers is corresponding to the full-moon day of 12th month of central region during the end of raining season and beginning of cold season when the climate is very nice and fair. One tradition of Lanna other than Loi Kra Thong on the river is to light up the lantern and float up in the sky based on their belief that to pay worship to Phra Ket Kaew Julamanee in the heaven or to relief one’ bad luck for more auspicious life.
Date 11 - 13 November 2008
Venue Tha Phae Gate, banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai Municipal Office, Chiang Mai
Highlights: An amazing procession of hanging lanterns, Krathong design contest, Miss Yi Peng beauty contest, light and sound presentation in Ping River, the ancient Thai Lanna Krathong activities, local cultural performances, and local handicrafts market in Lanna style.

For Furture Information, please contact
TAT Office, Northern Region, Area 1 (Chiang Mai)
Tel: +66 5324 8604, +66 5324 8607
Website : http://www.tatchiangmai.org

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Loi Krathong and Candle Festival Sukhothai

The great lantern festival tradition since Sukhothai age according to the evidence appeared on the first inscription of Phor Khun Ramkhamhaeng which mentions about the most wonderful candles and fireworks festival of Sukhothai since 700 years ago which has been developed as Loi Krathong festival in present. Exciting with light & sound show to reproduce Sukhothai atmosphere for enjoyment of both Thais and foreigners.
Date: 10-12 November 2008
Venue: Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai
Highlights: You will be dazzled by the float procession of large krathong from 17 Northern provinces. The procession will consist of krathongs from government agencies, state enterprises, private sectors, and general public, including hanging lanterns, Krathong design contest, and Miss Noppamas Beauty Contest, light and sound presentation, firework displays, Sukhothai arts and culture performances, and the activity of “Dawn of happiness”.
For Furture Information, please contact
TAT Sukhothai
Tel: 66 (0) 5561 1196

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Loi Krathong Festival : The Delightful Color of Streams

Water Tour Festival throughout November (8-12 November 2008) alongside Chaophraya River with many wonderful activities.Date: 8-12 November 2008
Venue: Banks of the Chao Phraya River (KrungThep Bridge – Krung Thon Bridge), Bangkok

Highlights:

•Enjoy viewing the illuminated float procession and the contest of Loi Krathong traditional boats, with more than 1,500,000 Baht prize money between 8-12 November 2008 from 7.30-10.00 pm. Banks of the Chao Phraya River (KrungThep Bridge – Krung Thon Bridge), Bangkok


•Experience an amazing atmosphere of the Loi Krathong Festival of the Rattanakosin style during 10-12 November 2008 from 18:30 – 21:30 hrs. at Santichaiprakarn park, Bangkok.
The illuminated float procession will be best viewed from this area. Also, you will be entertained by the country’s most unique cultural performances apart from experiencing the old market atmosphere and mouth watering array of international food.


For Furture Information, please contact
Call 1672

Events Planning Division
TAT Tel. 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext 3470-3474

Thaiboat Association
Tel: 0 2225 6179, 0 2221 2297, 0 2623 5340

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History

“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.
The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.
This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Rama VIII Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.

As for the public, people usually make banana-leaf cups to float them onto the river although there exist some uniquely different aspects in certain communities. For example, the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, during which balloon-like ‘Khom Loi' lanterns including the ‘Khom Fai' – a fire lantern – and ‘Khom Khwan' – a smoke lantern – are flown into the sky as a symbol of worship to Phrathat Chulamani in heaven. Making a Khom Loi will need a lot of artistic skills as well as scientific techniques, just like the ones used in making a balloon. Tracing paper or Sa paper is used to make air bags of various shapes. It is believed that flying a Khom Loi is like flying grief and ill fortune away from ourselves or our home.
In Tak province, the Loi Krathong Sai Festival is celebrated, which reflects the unity of the local people. Groups of people gather at the river banks, each bringing along thousands of Krathong made fro m coconut shells with dried wicks made from coconut flesh anointed with oil or ash for their inflammable as well as durable quality. There, they sing and dance with merriment.

The span of the Ping River that passes by the provincial city of Tak is not deeper than one's waist, with underwater sand bars curving into different shapes, forcing the current to meander. When the lit Krathongs are floated onto the right current, one after another, they would meander along and make a beautiful and twinkling curving line, or Sai in Thai, amid the darkness of the night.

The famous Loi Krathong and Candle Festival in Sukhothai province features a procession of offerings, including Phanom Mak – the betel offering – and Phanom Dok Mai – the floral offering – carried by beautiful girls, as well as banana-leaf floats accompanied by the so-called Nang Nopphamat beauty queens.

The Phanom Mak and Phanom Dok Mai offerings are for the homage paying rite at King Ramkhamhaeng the Great's monument in the heart of the ancient city of Sukhothai. After that, people as well as visitors gather and float the Krathongs together on ponds, known as Traphang, inside the ancient city. The bright candle light from the floated Krathongs and the cool breeze of November together lends a pleasant atmosphere for all participants.

Besides the well-known Loi Krathong Festival, there is another tradition that is based on a similar belief but is celebrated on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month. Known as the Illuminated Boat Procession , the celebration takes place in the Northeastern provinces of Thailand that is located on the Mekong River. Illuminated boats of approximately 10 – 12 metres long are made from banana stalks or bamboo by villagers. The boats contain sweets, the so-called Khao Tom Mat – stuffed fried sticky rice – and objects to be donated inside, while decorated with flowers, incense sticks, candles, lamps and tinder outside. At present, the boats are created into various shapes such as important places or mythical creatures, which lend a bright and breathtaking sight when the boats illuminated by thousands of lamps are floated onto the river.

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