We planned our Chiang Mai visit to coincide with the world famous, four-day Loy Krathong and Yee Peng festivals. Both celebrations occur around the time of the full moon of the 12th lunar month of the Thai calendar. At that time the rivers are usually the fullest and the moon is often the brightest.

Throughout the city we saw many colorful paper lanterns hung in front of businesses, homes, and temples, as well as along sidewalks and in parks.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

On the first and second nights of the festivals hundreds of terra cotta candles lined the moat and ancient walls around the Old City of Chiang Mai. 

• 

• 

• 

Both festivals revolve around giving thanks and offering praise to Buddha. Loy Krathong is giving thanks to the spirit of the river and the water by floating banana leaf baskets (krathongs) in the river.  The baskets are usually filled with flowers, candles, and sometimes money. The most common flowers for decorating the baskets are lotus, rose, orchid, marigold, and globe amaranth. We saw quite a few krathongs for sale by sidewalk vendors and several posters for workshops to make one’s own special banana leaf basket. On the 3rd night of Loy Krathong, we watched many candle-lit, colorful krathongs float in the Ping River. And a few floated in the Old City moat on the 4th night. One large, hungry fish in the moat even ate the leaf and flower parts of a krathong. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Of all the festival activities, we enjoyed the Yee Peng sky lanterns the most, despite the very, very crowded streets that evening. Buddhists launch the floating lanterns to give merit to Buddha and symbolize leaving darkness behind and going towards a bright future. We watched many people release their lanterns and some even made a wish as their lantern floated up. A few had even written their wishes on the lanterns.

• 

• 

• 

• 

The almost ready-to-use sky lanterns require several people for the preparation and launching process: unfold, light the fuel ring, wait for the hot air to fill the 1 meter-tall lantern, and release up into the sky. We watched the launching of hundreds of lanterns and most ascended quickly up into the sky. It was truly an amazing sight!

• 

• 

A few lanterns, however, floated sideways, which was chaotic since there were so many people and lanterns in the street. Thankfully, no one’s hair or hat caught on fire. Some lanterns floated into power lines and trees. Fortunately the flames we saw quickly self-extinguished. Fire fighters were on hand, though, just in case water was needed to put out the small fires.

• 

• 

The two-hour Grand Krathong Float Procession on the last night of the festival was also great fun! Local schools and businesses, as well as community and government organizations participated with lighted floats, costumed marching groups, and talented musicians. Support vehicles (cars, trucks, and tractors) in front of and behind the floats provided sound, lights, and power for the parade entries.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•