Thailand’s Loy Krathong Comes but Once a Lunar Year
1. University students release a sky lantern or ‘khom loy’, a small hot air balloon made from rice paper and bamboo. Khom loy are symbols for letting go of all one’s troubles and worries.
2. A procession of floats, representing elements of Northern Thai history and culture works its way from the city center to the Ping River.
3. A tourist takes a picture of a model and her float during the parade.
4. Candle rafts or ‘krathong’ are filled with offerings and joss sticks before being set afloat in the Ping River. As well as honoring the water goddess and Gautama Buddha, it’s believed that ‘krathong’ carry away bad parts of their launchers.
5.A man searches for offerings of small change among ‘krathong washed up on the riverbank. The raiders remain discreet in Chiang Mai, but this practice has become a major problem in Bangkok.
6. ‘Khom loy’ being released by Tha Phae gate.
7. Sparklers are often attached to ‘khom loy’ and lit before takeoff.
8. ‘Khom loy’ are far from foolproof – a quick gust of wind or misplaced lighter will set the set one alight.
9.A group of revelers release several lanterns at once.
10.During the holiday and the few days preceding it, the streets by the river are lined with stalls selling food, krathong and fireworks.
11. Teenagers set off an enormous rocket from a bridge over the Ping River.
12. A young man releases an oversized khom loy.
13. Loy Krathong technically takes place on the night of the full moon, but the air above Chiang Mai is filled with fireworks, khom loy and gunpowder smoke for days on end.
14. A firework explodes near a hotel rooftop.
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10 Comments... join the discussion!
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Wow-gorgeous photo essay. They have so much energy and vitality. Beautiful execution of shutter speed.
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Hi Ross- Great photos… I’m so excited to see this on Matador, since I’m in Chiang Mai now and got to go to the festival.
Looking at that picture of the red lantern at Tha Phae gate, we must’ve been standing only feet away from each other. ^_^.
Maybe we’ll see each other around.
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Great pictures. I should go to Chiang Mai next year during the festival!
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I love how happy everyone is in all these photos!
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Beautiful!
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Ross-
I had no idea you were such a skilled photographer. I loved these and look forward to seeing more of your work on Matador.
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What Candice said, everyone is so happy. Warms your heart!
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Amazing photo essay. I was up in Chiang Mai for Loi Krathong as well. Great times. Looking forward to following your adventures in Thailand. We have some Thai adventure blogging and video up as well at RidingOutTheEconomy.wordpress.com. I’ll throw a link to this up there, as it’s right up our followers’ alley.
Z
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I heart it.
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