Loi Krathong and the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

Between the thunderous explosions, whizzing fireworks, and flash-bangs of rockets, the night sky is a shifting, shimmering mass of glowing floating lanterns, slowly making their way skyward. Think the 4th of July, Canada Day, and a bit of News Years eve and the scene may be set for one of Thailand’s largest and truly unforgettable festivals, Loi Krathong.

Celebrated during the first full moon in November, Loi Krathong mixes ancient traditional worship, specifically of the river deities, and a more modern Buddhist festival, where the negative energy and bad deeds of the previous year are cast off in lieu of positive energy and good luck.

It has become a huge tourist draw across the country, especially in the north and the city of Chiang Mai, where upwards of 100,000 travelers and tourists descend upon the city for three days and nights of celebration.

In Chiang Mai, the epicentre of activity is around the Ping River and the ‘Iron Bridge’ where locals and tourists alike launch floating lanterns and an endless stream of fireworks over the river. Krathongs are also launched into its cinnamon waters, carrying offerings to the river gods and ushering in good luck and fortune.

For those traveling through South East Asia around this time, making the trek to the north of Thailand is well worth it as attending Loi Krathong is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Be warned though as this is the unofficial kick off to the high season, and its growing popularity is reflected in a huge number of travelers and inflated prices. Make sure to plan accordingly.

If you are able to spend extra time in the region, make sure to attend the Kathin ceremony in the weeks leading up to Loi Krathong. Held at Mai Jo University, this primarily a religious ceremony (it is traditionally the ‘giving of the robes’ to the new group of monks) is also marked by the launch of upwards of 10,000 floating lanterns simultaneously and is an incredible event to witness.

As with any large festival or event, watch your valuables, and be smart. Few festivals incorporate such an overwhelming amount of explosives. If you can see things getting out of hand, take a ten-minute break, let the ever-present Thai and tourist police get things under control, and then hit the streets for more.

Loi Krathong photography courtesy of James McDonald