Loi Krathong is one of the most important days in the Thai calendar. It occurs on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month, the 'high water' season when water overflows the banks of rivers and canals. On Loi Krathong day this great abundance of water is celebrated by floating delicately created 'krathongs' on any and every stretch of water in the Kingdom.
[Drag the Krathongs into the river]In Thai folklore, five goddesses personify the five material elements. Mae Phra Toranee or Mother Earth; Mae Phra Phai, goddess of the wind; Mae Phra Plerng, goddess of fire; Mae Phosop, goddess of grain or food; and Mae Kong Ka or Mother Water. 'Kong Ka' really means the Ganges but has come to mean water in general. Loi Krathong is the annual festival of thanksgiving to Mae Kong Ka for her bounty in providing water not only for drinking and washing, but for the essential means of livelihood of most Thais agriculture, fishing and transport by river and klong. At the same time Loi Krathong is a request for Mae Kong Ka's forgiveness for having used and polluted the water.
Many people also believe that as their krathong floats away, the water washes away their sins of the past year.
[Move the krathongs to make some words]Loi Krathong is inseparable in Thai People's minds from the legend of a beautiful and talented lady called Nang Noppamus, the daughter of a learned Brahmin priest at the court of King Pho Khun Ramhamhaeng during the Sukothai dynasty some 700 years ago. Wanting to honour Mae Kong Ka in her own Brahim fashion, and being highly skilled and inventive, Nang Noppomas made the first krathong in the form in which we know it today, shaped like a large exquisite lotus flower. She presented this to the King, who accepted it, lit the candle and launched it on the water. This tradition continues to this day.
Central to our school celebration is the making of krathongs, out of natural materials, thus reinforcing the important message of not damaging the environment. Throughout the school groups of children spend part of the morning making their own krathongs' ready to float later during the day.
Loi Krathong Day embraces a very special atmosphere resulting from the excellent collaboration of children, teachers and parents.
John Eastham
Patana Teacher
©Copyright Bangkok Patana School 2004