The song above is well-known to everyone, especially Thai
people. It makes us think of the thousands illuminated candles
floating along the river at nightfall.
The full moon of twelfth lunar month every year is regarded
as Loy Krathong Day (usually in November). In the morning,
Thai people go to make merit at their own local temples; the
evening is the celebration of Loy Krathong festival. The krathongs
are floating ornaments which, are made of a banana trunk which
is cut crosswise about 3 centimeters thick. Then, folded pieces
of banana leaves in shape of a lotus petal and put them together
with the cut trunk. The completed krathong is similar to the
abloom lotus. Joss-sticks, candles, and a bunch of flowers
are put on the krathongs. Before making the wish, and letting
them float down the river, the candles and joss-sticks are
lit.
Loy Krathong day is one of the most important traditions in
Thailand because this day is considered to be a worship to
a foot-print of the Lord Buddha. To avert a catastrophe on
Loy Krathong day can be done by letting the sin drift along
the river with krathongs. From the historical evidence, "Phra
Ruang" (King in the Sukhothai period) in his speech said"
: "-from now on , when the full moon of twelfth lunar
month comes , the flying lantern will be made as the lotus
shape. We will pay homage to the foot-print of the Lord Buddha
for ever after-". Loy Krathong festival is organized
in almost every part of Thailand. Each has the unique interesting
celebration.
Loy Krathong festivity at present, evolve itself to many varieties
of parades, the Nang Noppamas contests (Beauty pageant), and
many Thai performances. There is also the flying lantern made
of different color papers. Their shape is like a balloon(northern,
north eastern region). We let them drift away in the sky by
lighting a torch inside the lanterns to get the heat. The
heat will create pressure taking them to the sky. People always
fly the lanterns at night because the brightness from them
produces the magical beauty, especially in the full moon period;
the bright lanterns make the sky magically unexplainable.
Loy Krathong festival that is held close to the main river,
will be "Lai Rue Fai" (the tradition to flow the
ablaze boat). It is made of a banana trunk, but now made of
bamboo, hanged with joss-sticks, candles, and flowers. The
characteristic feature of Lai Rue Fai is that the light lit
by a lamp coming off and spreading all over the full moon
sky. There is improvement on designing bamboo into different
shapes exquisitely. Lai Rue Fai is the another thing that
attracts a lot of people participate in Loy Krathong celebration
each year.
Brightness from the lanterns appear on the sky ; on water
surface appears the light from krathongs and Rue Fai reflecting
with an underwater shadow. People on the riverside enjoy themselves
singing Loy Krathong song.
Loy Krathong song (translated to English ) :
"The full moon of twelfth lunar month is when water
fills the banks.
We all , men and women , enjoy Loy Krathong.
Let's float krathongs.
Let's float krathongs.
After having floated krathongs , we invite you , my dear to
dance Ram
Wong (Thai dancing).
Ram Wong on Loy Krathong day.
Ram Wong on Loy Krathong day.
Great merit will bring us to happiness.
Great merit will bring us to happiness." |
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