Loy Krathong festival is an ancient Thai tradition, which takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month (usually November). This year’s Loy Krathong Festival will be held on November 14. “Loy” means “to float”, and “Krathong” is a special Thai floating sculpture which is floated down the river. Floating krathong means to pay respect and asks for forgiveness in the ensuing pollution to the Goddess of the Water, including flying away misfortuneand bad things. The traditional krathong is made from a cross-section of a banana tree trunk, which is then elaborately decorated with folded banana leaves and flowers. Today the banana trunk core is sometimes replaced by bread (baked into the form of a traditional krathong). The banana trunk and bread krathongs are obviously eco-friendly. There are Krathong parades, contests for making the best Krathong, and Noppamas beauty pageants.