Loy Krathong Loy Krathong is a Festival in Thailand where the Thailand people float flowers arrangement on the water. Chang Mai is probably the best place to see this festival because of the Moats and the Rivers in the city. I would especially recommend people to see the Khom Fai or what I called Candle Kites, this is a special treat on planet earth.
"Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions use specially made bread 'flowers' and may use styrofoam), decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river.” Wiki
This is a Khom Fai, a fire lantern, or a kite that flies because of the heat of a candle.
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This video show the Khom Fai and how it works, I truly think this thing is wonderful, in the movie “The Beach” Alex Garland shows or alludes to these floating Khom Fai, and truly is a great use of local culture inserted into a Film.
I have a good page of photos here that shows how they make one of these Khom Fai. As best I remember they cost 50 Baht or about 1.25 U.S. Dollar, truly a wonderful experience, one of the ones I think everyone on the planet should see one time in their life.
This is the remnants of a last nights celebration, floating in small gold fishpond in my Hotel.
Small floating bundles of flowers and banana leaves with a stick of incense in the middle. I truly believe the world would be lost without incense sticks and have no idea what they did before they invented them. They are used in most Asian religious ceremonies.
Andy,Fantastic. Chiang Mai has always been on my list. Now I've yet another reason to visit.Great photo by the way. Reminds me of iridescent jellyfish in the deep ocean.Eric
