“Loy” means “float”, and a “krathong” is a special Thai floating sculpture particular to the holiday. 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 in intricate towering designs. You will find hundreds of krathongs for sell around the main Loy Krathong festivity areas. Often school children will make their own krathongs in school or with their family. They’ll even have krathong contests in school to see who can craft the most beautiful and artistic float.
Today the banana trunk core is sometimes replaced by styrofoam or bread (baked into the form of a traditional krathong or a cute floating turtle). The banana trunk and bread krathongs are obviously eco-friendly, so better choices for your family.