Thailand’s floating lantern festival Loy Krathong was held in Chiang Mai on Nov. 15-16. Loy means to float, and Krathong are small baskets made of banana leaves decorated with flowers, candles, and incense sticks. These offerings are made to the water goddess Pra Mae Khongkha. Loy Krathong coincides with the Lanna northern Thai festival of Yi Peng.
“Yi means two, and Peng means full moon in the Lanna language. The name ‘Yi Peng’ translates to ‘Full Moon of the Second Month.’ On the occasion of this full moon, we offer fire and listen to sermons. The Loy Krathong festival is a national event, while the Yi Peng festival is an ancient tradition of the former Lanna Kingdom in northern Thailand,” said Nuttapong Punjaburi, a lecturer at Chiang Mai University (CMU) Faculty of Education.
The Yi Peng: Lanna Light Festival 2024 was held at the Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai Nov. 13-15. It celebrated northern Thailand’s Lanna culture. Participants released silk paper lanterns into the sky. Releasing these lanterns at night symbolizes letting go of past misfortunes and hoping for future prosperity.
