Loi Kratong

Trip Start Jun 05, 2008
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Trip End Sep 28, 2008


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Monday, November 10, 2008

Loy Krathong is one of the most revered of Thai holidays and falls on the first moon day on the twelfh lunar month, in this case November 12. Thais and tourists alike flock to rivers, lakes, swimming pools, bucket (anywhere there is water) and release "kratongs" where are typically lotus shaped banana-leaf vessels decorated with flowers and other pieces of nature's beautiful paraphenalia. They usually contain a candle, three joss-sticks, flowers, and coins.

The krathong is an offering of thanks to the river goddess who is a source of life and many view the krathong as a way to send off evil spirits, erase any bad luck, and atone for sins. Tradition believes that if you make a wish and your krathong floats out of sight before the candle burns out, your wish will come true.

This Sunday the kids along with dozens of other students who are on Life Home Scholarships went to the Evason Hotel and "eco-friendly" hotel with farms full of pumpkins, eggplant, chilies, bananas, cabbage, and their very own "Mushroom Hut."

After viewing the vegetable gardens, the compost piles (clearly thrilling!), water treatment center, "aerated lake," and eating in the Thai staff cafeteria complete with Thai jeopoardy TV we had a project to make our own "kratongs." The kids could wander the hotel grounds and make up their own "kratongs" in order to celebrate the coming festival. It was great to see 5 and 17 year olds excitingly participating in this tradition and getting really involved in making some beautiful floats! We released the kratongs that afternoon at the hotel lake and off they floated into the lotus forest!
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