Loy Krathong is Thailand’s very own ‘festival of lights’. A national event, it is held annually on the evening of the 12th lunar month, usually in the first half of November. Celebration involves various rituals at the Buddhist temples around Phuket, but the most famous and popular part is the launching of a krathong – a floating lantern carrying candles and joss sticks, as well as all of your wishes. As any large body of water is illuminated with thousands of little lights, it creates a magical, wondrous sight. This festival, falls in the 'not to be missed' category and, if you believe in luck, joining in is a 'must do'. It's also one of those celebrations that children absolutely adore and will certainly be one of their fondest memories of their visit to this part of the world.
The Northerners celebrate this festival quite differently from the other part of the country. Instead floating Krathong along the river flow, they light them on fire and float them to the air. It is very spectacular and very famous worldwide.
Apart from asking for forgiveness and worshiping the goddess of rivers, Thai people believe that floating Krathong is like floating away all the sadness and bad luck in their lives – maybe it will also work for you as well!
When: November 13, 2019
Where: Nationwide, All of Phuket's major west coast beaches
