"Loy" means "to float" "Khrathong" is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Khrathong usually contains a candle, three sticks and some flowers and coins. In school the kids made a Khrathong, only this one was for education, not with a "spiritual" meaning.
This festival is where people offer thanks to the "Goddess" of the water. By moonlight, people light the candles and joss sticks, make a wish and launch their Khrathongs on canals, rivers or small ponds. The Buddhists believe that their sins and bad luck will float away with their Khrathong.
During this time, they also shoot off fireworks and send up paper lanterns. This wasn't a part of the original tradition, so we aren't sure if there is special meaning that goes along with this particular occasion. Normally, when Buddhists send off fireworks, it is to scare away "evil spirits" and we haven't found out why they send up the paper lanterns. Here is a picture of us at an outlook over the city watching the fireworks and lanterns going up. It was a beautiful sight.
We obviously don't "celebrate" Loy Khrathong as Christians, however this occasion was a great way for us to understand the Thai people and culture and to enjoy the beautiful sight of constant lanterns and fireworks being sent up. We feel blessed to be here!
Blessings,
The Scotts
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