LoyKrathong ( ลอยกระทง ) festival of Thailand.

LoyKrathong ( ลอยกระทง ) festival of Thailand.
Loy Krathong (or Loi Kratong, Thai ลอยกระทง) is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand.
Loy Krathong has been the most romantic festival of Thailand, especially in modern times.
LoyKrathong the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November)
"Loi" or "Loy" "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. Governmental offices, corporations and other organizations also build much bigger and more elaborate rafts, and these are often judged in contests. In addition, fireworks and beauty contests take place during the festival.


Launched Khom FaiAccording to the writings of H.M. King Rama IV in 1863, the originally Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honour the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. Apart from venerating the Buddha with light (the candle on the raft), the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot.People will aswell cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the bulk as a attribute of absolution go of the bad locations of oneself. Many Thai accept that amphibian a krathong will actualize acceptable luck, and they do it to account and acknowledge the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

The beauty contests that accompany the festival are known as "Noppamas Queen Contests". According to legend, Noppamas was a consort of the Sukothai king Loethai (14th century) and she was the first to float decorated krathongs. The Loi Krathong festival is also associated with the start of vegetable carving.

The Thai tradition of Loy Kratong started off in Sukhothai, but is now celebrated throughout Thailand, with the festivities in Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya being particularly well known.

LoyKratong In Chiang Mai is also known as "Yi Peng". Every year thousands of people assemble to float the banana-leaf krathong onto the waterways of the city, honouring the Goddess of Water. A multitude of Lanna-style hot-air lanterns (khom fai) are also launched into the air where they resemble large flocks of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating by through the skies. These are believed to help rid the locals of troubles and are also taken to decorate houses and streets.

in kelantan also got the same celebration as well especialy Tumpat area. the minister of tourism malaysia recognize it as a attraction for tourist. a thousand of people are going for the celebration.


เพลง ลอยกระทง
Loykrathong song
and mean of song

วันเพ็ญเดือนสิบสอง
wan-pen duean sip-sawng
The full moon (of) the twelfth month

น้ำก็นองเต็มตลิ่ง
nam gaw nawng dtem dtaling
as water fills to the banks.

เราทั้งหลายชายหญิง
rao tung-laai chai-ying
We, all men and women,

สนุกกันจริงวันลอยกระทง
sanook gun jing wun loy gratong
really have a good time (on) loy krathong day

ลอย ลอยกระทง
loy loy gratong
Float, float the krathongs

ลอย ลอยกระทง
loy loy gratong
Float, float the krathongs


ลอยกระทงกันแล้ว
loy krathong kan laew
After we've floated our krathongs,


ขอเชิญน้องแก้ว
khaw choen nawngkaew
(I) invite (you) my darling

ออกมารำวง
awk maa ramwong
to come out and dance.

รำวงวันลอยกระทง
ramwong wan loy krathong
Ramwong (on) loy krathong day

รำวงวันลอยกระทง
ramwong wan loy krathong
Ramwong (on) loy krathong day

บุญจะส่งให้เราสุขใจ
bun ja song hai rao sukjai
(Making) merit will give us happiness

บุญจะส่งให้เราสุขใจ
bun ja song hai rao sukjai
(Making) merit will give us happiness

Good travel that travel thailand !

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Bangkok China Town Festival

Guide to Bangkok's China Town

Since China town is a very bustling area; parking space is scarce. The best way to reach there is by the public transport.

By Taxi
Take a taxi or a ‘tuk-tuk', a motorized tricycle, and get off at Trimit Road, east of Yaowarat Road, or Charoen Krung Road, parallel to Yaowarat Road at its north. Then walk towards your destinations in the China town.

By Bus
Take buses no. 1, 4, 7, 25, 35, 40, 53, 73 and 501.

By Boat
Get on the boat on the Chaophraya River and alight at Ratchawong Pier. Then walk up Ratchawong Road, passing Songwat Road and Sampeng Lane (Wanit 1 Road) to reach Yaowarat Road.

Best time to go there

During 4 important festivals: Chinese New Year Festival approximately on January or February; Nguan Chioew Festival held 14 days after the Chinese New Year Festival; Chinese Sart Festival on August; and Chinese Lunar Moon Festival usually held a month after the Chinese Sart Festival.

About Yaowarat

China town is situated in one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. Originally, it was gradually settled up by Chinese traders who came by junks to trade with Siam during the Sukhothai era. By the end of 1891, King Rama V had several more roads cut through the area, which are Songwat Road, Phatsai Road, Anuwong Road and Yaowarat Road. Therefore, China town does not consist only Yaowarat Road, but also cover some other roads: Charoen Krung Road, Songwat Road, Songsawat Road, Chakkrawat Road and the Wanit 1 area. However, Yaowarat Road is the center of the area. According to the Feng-Shui principle, the shape of Yaowarat Road is curvy like the dragon's curvy body, making it an ideal location for business. Many prospering businesses in Thailand originated and are still thriving in this age-old downtown. What visitors can find here vary from leading gold shops, textiles, garments, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instrument and definitely local delicacies. In this year of 2003, it will be the 111th anniversary of this legendary road.

Food around China Town

China town is the paradise of food lovers who quest for Chinese cuisine. Both sides of its main street are flanked with restaurants and food vendors throughout the day. Local delicacies include Dim Sum, Teachew-style steamed Chinese mullet, shark fin in red sauce and various single noodle and rice dishes such as stir-fried noodles, casserole pork in noodles soup, rice with boiled chicken, rice with crispy pork or duck toppings, rice with curry and etc. Other appetizers and sweets are stuffed sheet noodles, pork sate, dumplings, bird's nest soup, soybean milk, lotus root juice and toasted chestnuts (locally called Kaolat). Ask for map of food shops and restaurants around the area from the tourist center on Petchaburi Road on Monday to Friday and Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue everyday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Shopping around China Town

Gold Shops
There are more than 130 gold shops along Yaowarat Road. It is why it is called the ‘Golden Road'. Originally, there were four tycoon gold shops: Seng Heng Li, Hua Seng Heng, Tung Jin Aeng and Tung Toh Gung even though new gold shops are still burgeoning on both sides of the road. Most shops are members of the Gold Merchants Association. Gold products here are not only recognized of high standard and quality with the purity of 96.5% or approximately 23 karat gold, but also of hand-made beautiful intricacy.

Talat Kao (The Old Market)
Talat Kao has been the marketplace for China town for over a hundred years. It is the center of all kinds of specialties, ranging from fresh to preserved food. Chinese chefs from restaurants around Bangkok flock here each day to find the best ingredients. It can be said that it is the paradise for those who shop for fresh foods. Just right at the opposite is Talat Mai or Talat Krom Phu-tared (New Marketplace), selling the same kinds of food and products found in Talat Kao.

Wanit 1 (Sampeng)
The area is usually called Sampeng within which retailers and wholesalers of textile are located. Here is Bangkok's center of textile wholesalers that sell everything about clothing making such as buttons, zippers, laces, sewing equipment, gifts, souvenirs & stationery and children & teenager products.

Chiang Kong
Chiang Kong is located in the area of Tala Noi (Noi Market). It is the hub of spare parts of cars, machinery and cheap second-hand steel products.

Khlong Thom
It is where shoppers can find a variety of electronic products and components of sound equipment, computers, game players, calculators and watches. Most sellers are vendors who sell their items at a fairly cheap price. Bargaining can be done here.

Nakhon Kasem Area
The area is a cluster of antique shops and imported musical instrument shops. Also, other products include kitchenware such as coconut-grating machine, coconut milk squeezer, brass pans and water pumping machine.

These areas are usually packed with people and shoppers especially during weekends and holidays. However, many shops are close on Chinese festivals.

What to see around China Town

Chinese Shrines
There are numerous shrines in China town. Among them, there are four oldest shrines of the area:

1. Leng Buai Eie Shrine. It is the Teachew Chinese shrine that houses the big bell constructed in the 23rd year of the Seng Phi Dynasty and the bell donated by King Rama V.

2. Bunyasamakhom Shrine (Rong Je Trokkrai) was named by King Rama V.

3. Ah Mha Geng Shrine is dated back more than 150 years. Inside, it houses Goddess Thapthim who is highly revered by local people.

4. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat or Wat Leng Nei Yi is the first Mahayana Buddhist sect temple in Thailand. It was constructed during King Rama V by donation from the Chinese living in Sampheng area.

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