Yi Peng and Loi Krathong Lantern Festival

It can be said that the Loi Krathong and Yi Peng festivals in Chiang Mai are two of the most beautiful festivals in the world. Whether the lights are released into the sky or dropped into the water, they all bring a very unique magical beauty that anyone who has had the opportunity to experience it will never forget.

Of the two, Yi Peng is the more well-known for its lanterns that float into the sky, creating a mesmerizing picture, these sky lanterns are known as "khom loi". Khom Loi is made of environmentally safe materials and according to people here, it can decompose on its own when it falls to the ground. Yi Peng is not an official Thai festival, it is a separate holiday celebrated by the Lanna people in Northern Thailand. However, the Yi Peng festival is known to many people around the world, it is famous for the magical beauty of thousands of lights when they are released into the sky. People come to Chiang Mai on the occasion of the festival to be once immersed in the wonderful atmosphere, choose for themselves a lantern, write wishes and release them into the sky with the hope that their wishes will come true.

Loi Krathong is the festival of dropping lights into the water, taking place on the evening of the full moon day of the 12th lunar month in Thailand. It is less known to tourists but is also a major festival in Thailand. Traditionally the water lanterns during this festival are called krathongs, which are made with a base of banana tree trunks or toasted bread (locals believe that the light base of the light floats on the water and can provide food). feed the fish). The bases are then covered with green leaves and decorated with wreaths outside, a candle and an incense stick placed in the middle will be lit before the lamp is dropped into the water. The ritual of releasing Krathong lanterns is meant to express thanks to the water god, carry all the risks and sins of the past year along the water and pray for Thailand's more prosperous country. When participating in the Loi Krathong festival, you should choose traditional Krathongs instead of those made of foam or plastic, because they are non-biodegradable and not environmentally friendly, they are sold a lot. in the festival area at an affordable price.