Loy Krathong Sai
Admire thousands of Krathongs (floating lanterns), sailing down the Ping River at the Loy Krathong Sai festival, Tak.
The train of floating illumination stretching along the river is to worship the goddess of water, to pay homage to the Buddha’s footprint, and to wash away sorrows. Loy Krathong Sai Lai Prathip Pan Duang has been passed down by people living next to the Ping River from generation to generation.
Unlike others that use banana leaves to make Krathongs, the unique material for Krathongs here are coconut shells. After being cleaned thoroughly, the coconut shells are filled with melted candle wax to keep the wick in place. Villagers gather together early in the morning to decorate the procession. Some of them dance joyfully whilst walking in the procession of coconut Krathongs to the riverbank. Then they ask for forgiveness from the Buddha’s footprint and the goddess of water and pray for sufferings to flow away with the current. After that the villagers give away a raft as a donation to a random person who collects it.
When the darkness of the night descends, the competition begins. The villagers help one another to thread coconut shell Krathongs and launch them in a candlelit chain down the Ping River, making the whole river twinkle with exceptionally beautiful illumination. Any community that can make the train of their Krathongs float all the way in a regular pace with their candle still lit is given a trophy. The atmosphere on both riverbanks is bustling with a jovial crowd – dancing to the music and cheering their team.
Be dazzled by fireworks and sparklers, delighted by the magnificence of the event, and impressed by the friendliness of the Mae Ping locals.