Loy Krathong Festival starts in Sukhothai

Posted on May 14, 2018 by admin

The origins of Loy Krathong

According to Thai folklore, the Loy Krathong Festival originated in Sukhothai. Established in 1238, the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai was a thriving, prosperous region. Local legend says that at some time in the 14th century a noble lady called Nang Noppamas, a consort of the King of Sukhothai, made the first decorated krathong as a gift for the king. The daughter of a Brahmin priest, Noppamas adapted an existing Brahmin tradition by delicately moulding banana leaves into the shape of a lotus flower before adding a candle and incense sticks. The story goes on to say that the king lit the candle and the incense sticks and floated the krathong on one of the waterways that surrounded the city of Sukhothai.

Loy Krathong Festival starts in Sukhothai, Join our trip on Nov 2018, click Special Loy Krathong Festival

Sukhothai, the kingdom’s ancient capital, officially kicked off Loy Krathong Light and Candles Festival yesterday (Nov 1) amid the eyes of thousands of local and foreign visitors.

The province became the first venue to start the Loy Krathong festivities featuring the lighting of dainty flower shaped floats, candles and fireworks lighting the night sky of Sukhothai Historical Park.

The Loy Krathong Festival started after the governor of Sukhothai rang the traditional bell that resonated within the ancient historical park.

It is the 40th year of such celebration of the light and candle festival in this northern ancient city. The festival will run on this year until November 22, 2018.

The celebration started in the day and involved colourful parades of floats in various designs and sizes of the traditional Loy Krathong usually in the shape of fanciful and colourful lotus flowers.

All nine districts within the province have sent in their contribution to the parade with their interpretation of the Krathong or floats which emphasized on environmental-friendly materials to make the floats.

The parade marched past Wat Channa Songkram temple within the historical park while visitors and tourists alike watched the beautiful floats pass them in awe.

It also included a procession of historical traditions and culture, a representation of Sukhothai life which flourished in the 13th and 14th centuries and where many historians believe the tradition of Loy Krathong was first celebrated.

Join our trip on Nov 2018, click Special Loy Krathong Festival

Choose your krathong
Some of the most beautiful krathongs are made from all natural materials such as banana leaves, the bark of a tree and flowers just as they would have been made when the tradition first started. Modern-day Loy Krathong sees a mix of krathongs being made including some which use the dreaded styrofoam. In Sukhothai, the waterways are enclosed and any krathongs which aren’t bio-degradable can be fished out and disposed of without causing any significant damage to the water and wildlife. Sadly, that isn’t the case in other areas of Thailand although trends are changing for the better as people become more environmentally aware. In recent years there has been an encouraging move towards using traditional, natural krathongs and fish-friendly bread krathongs in the shape of turtles have also proved popular.

Join our trip Nov 2018, click Special Loy Krathong Festival

Grand performances were also conducted at night, including traditional Thai music, Khon or masked dance performance, and Noppakao Pagent contest.Folk dancing that depicts the traditional Sukhothai life is also held.

Sukhothai Historical Park by night

The origins of Loy Krathong
According to Thai folklore, the Loy Krathong Festival originated in Sukhothai. Established in 1238, the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai was a thriving, prosperous region. Local legend says that at some time in the 14th century a noble lady called Nang Noppamas, a consort of the King of Sukhothai, made the first decorated krathong as a gift for the king. The daughter of a Brahmin priest, Noppamas adapted an existing Brahmin tradition by delicately moulding banana leaves into the shape of a lotus flower before adding a candle and incense sticks. The story goes on to say that the king lit the candle and the incense sticks and floated the krathong on one of the waterways that surrounded the city of Sukhothai.

Join our trip Nov 2018, click Special Loy Krathong Festival

The visitors came to the historical park with their floats made from either banana or palm leaves, and decorated with flowers, candles and joss sticks to set off onto the large ponds in this historical site.

They make wishes for the year ahead and seek forgiveness to the Mother of Rivers for any grievances they may have caused before setting off their floats.