Loy Katong (K is pronounced like a G) – One month late!

The first full moon of November is a time of great celebration in Thailand, particularly up North where we live. It has been said that many people nowadays are just going through the motions of the festival yet hold it as a very special time, however they don’t necessarily know why they do what they do. None-the-less, it is a very large and beautiful festival. The city and many moo baans (neighborhoods) are decorated with lights. The bridges are particularly attended to as much of the celebration takes place on and around the river. Katongs are made by hand from flowers, banana leaves, slices of trunks from banana trees, and are held together by toothpicks. Incense and candles are placed on them. A person or family places their bad deed and bad luck on the katong and it is prayerfully placed on the river—for the river to wash away all that badness. Giant lanterns filled with hot air are also released for the same reason. This event can take place very ceremoniously or accompanied with wild behavior and much drinking and illegal fireworks readily available at many street vendors.

This was our first Loy Katong Festival to witness since coming to Chiang Mai. Some of the festivities we participated in, but mostly we were nonchalant observers. The festival used to be celebrated only for one day…now it lasts for at least a week thanks to the interest of the almighty tourist. We steered clear of the river on the two biggest nights. The potential for accidents due to fireworks shot through crowds of people wall to wall and traffic jams really didn’t interest our family. However, the beauty and serenity of the lanterns lifting high into the night sky until they disappeared like helium balloons released for a special occasion was truly a sight not to miss.