Loi Krathong Festival Chiang Mai, Thailand. Loi Krathong is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. In 2008, the Loi Krathong full moon falls on November 12.

Whether the festival takes place in a busy big city or an idyllic countryside, Loi Krathong still provides an incomparable appeal and enchantment to those who join the event. However, there is a fabulous and unique traditional Loi Krathong in the north o f Thailand which will take your breath away.

The floating of a Krathong and a banana leaf cup is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha’s footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha’s great disciples.

The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.

In 2008, Chiang Mai  celebrated the Loi Krathong festival during November 11 – 13. The event featured bamboo raft races and boat races on the Mae Ping River, Yipeng lantern procession and contest, Beauty contest, and Krathong contests. Every night during the festival, visitors also enjoyed fireworks, the release of Lanna-style floating lanterns, and Lanna Thai cultural performances.

Thai boys mimicking the costume of Thai Deva	Chiang Mai girls in Loi Krathong Parade 2008
Chiang Mai dancers in Lanna costumes	Beautiful Carriage in Loi Krathong Festival 2008
Beautiful Young Candidate for Miss Loi Krathong 2008	Another Candidate for Miss Loi Krathong 2008