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LOI KRATHONG – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & Illuminated Boats As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called "Loi Krathong" - the 'festival of lights". This is one of the Kingdom's oldest and best-preserved traditions. The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways. The Royal Rattanakosin Loi Krathong Festival During the early Rattanakosin period, the royal rituals of Jong Priang, Lote Choot, Loi Khome Long Nam, performed during the twelfth lunar month were based on Brahmin beliefs. These were the court versions of Loi Krathong performed as an act of worship in which the Devaraja or ‘God Kings’ made offerings of light to the Brahmin deities. Lit lanterns were hoisted on to poles for two weeks during the twelfth lunar month and then floated on the waterways as ritual offerings. From its Brahmin roots, the practice has evolved over time and has come to be part of a Buddhist ritual performed as an act of deep reverence and worship of the sacred relics and holy footprints of Lord Buddha. The practice was subsequently adopted and adapted by common folk. Krathong floats are made from basic materials easily found around the village and reflect the simplicity of life beyond the palace walls. They typically take the shape of lotus in full bloom, swans, chedis (stupas), and Mount Meru from Buddhist mythology. However krathong floats in the shape of lotus blossoms are most popular. At dusk, as the full moon begins to rise, the krathong is decorated with fresh flowers and the candles and incense sticks are placed in the krathong. The float is then taken to a waterway where the candle and incense sticks are lit and the krathong set adrift. The floats are carried downstream by the gentle current, candlelight flickering in the wind. Soon after, attention turns to celebration. The evening's festivities consist of impressive firework displays, folk entertainment, stage dramas, song and dance. Scenes as described in ancient Thai literary accounts are still very much in existence today. Krathong floats in the shape of lotus blossoms are most popular and are made from materials easily found in each locality. Loi Krathong customs and traditions reflect local beliefs and cultural evolution and interesting regional variations can be seen. Loi Krathong Sai on the Ping River Night of A Thousand Floating Lanterns In Tak province, the banana-leaf floats are replaced by coconut shells which are threaded together and launched simultaneously so they appear as long chains of hundreds of glittering lights on the Ping River, hence the origin of its name, "Loi Krathong Sai". ****Yi-Peng Festival in Northern Thailand In the Northern Thai provinces that were once part of the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom, the Yi-peng Northern Lantern Festival is still being celebrated. Tubular lanterns, resembling hot air balloons, are lit and released into the night sky as an offering the Lord Buddha. As hundreds of illuminated lanterns drift into infinity, this conjures the same sense of wistful closure as the krathong float downstream. The lighting of fireworks is undertaken in the same spirit as when lighting candles in an act of worship so fireworks displays are very much an integral element of the secular and religious rituals performed. *The Origins of Loi Krathong There are various accounts about the origins of Loi Krathong. However given the river-based culture that forms the foundation of the traditional Thai way of life, it is widely believed that these are offerings made to Mae Khongkha - Mother of Waters in an act of appeasement. Many also beli

1. Bangkok Songkran Festival Date: 12 – 15 April 2008 Venue: at 9 royal temples and around Rattanakosin Island Hi-Light: * Songkran Celebration of the 4 Regions (southern section of Sanam Luang near Wat Phra Kaeo) Bathing of Buddha images from the 4 regions, local food and dessert making demonstrations, and cultural shows from various regions. Open Ceremony on 12th April 2008 18.00-21.00 hrs. at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng) * Paying worship at 9 royal temples around Rattanakosin Island. On 12-15 April 2008 09.00-18.00 hrs. : Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo), Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho), Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Chanasongkram , Wat Rakung, Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng), and Wat Kalayanamitr. Participants will receive a Passport of the 9 temples at each public relations point of each temple. After receiving the stamp from all the temples, a coupon for a lucky prize will be given. * Fun-filled splashing in traditional Thai dress, Khao San Road with various forms of Songkran fun, on 12-15 April 2008 at 07.00-18.00 hrs. * Banglamphu community at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, Phra Athit Road and Wisut Kasat., on 12-13 April 2008 Further Information : Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Tel. 02 250 5500 ext. 3470. TAT Call Center 1672 website : www.songkran.net 2. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival Date: 13 – 14 April 2008 Venue: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit, and around the island city, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Activities : Making merit to the monks, releasing of birds and fish, paying homage to the elderly. Hi-Light: on 13 April 2008 06.00 hrs. : Making merit to the monks at the front of Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit 14.00 hrs. : the grand procession of the Songkran tradition, enjoying splashing water with elephants at the old city. Further Information : Education Division, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality. Tel. 0 3525 2168. TAT Central Region Office : Region 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya), Tel. 0 3524 6076-7, 0 3532 2730-1 3. Chonburi Province (3.1) Pattaya Songkran Festival (Wan Lai Fair) Date: 18 – 19 April 2008 Venue: Pho Na Kleua Public Park, Chon Buri Activities : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe, along the Pattaya beach, local games, various arts and cultural performances, piling rice tradition, paying homage to the elderly, Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and enjoy splashing water along the beach of Pattaya. Hi-Light: on 19 April 2008 at 08.00 hrs. : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe and enjoying splashing water along the Pattaya beach. Further Information : Pattaya City, Tel. 0 3837 1116-9, TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750 (3.2) Bangsaen Wan Lai Tradition Date: 16 – 17 April 2008 Venue: Bangsaen Beach, Meuang District, Chon Buri Activities : Giving alms to monks, paying homage to the elderly, local games competitions, sand Chedi building, and enjoying splashing water along the clean and white Bangsaen Beach. Hi-Light: on 16 April 2008 : Sand Chedi building contest Further Information : Saen Suk Municipality. Tel. 0 3838 5353-5, TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750 (3.3) Si Racha Songkran Festival and Piling Rice Ceremony Date: 19 – 21 April 2008 Venue: Ko Loi Public Park, Si Racha District, Chon Buri Activities : See a piling rice ceremony, a procession of bathing the Buddha image, procession and decoration of the piling rice vehicles, Thai arts and cultural show, demonstrations of various local sports and games, sand Chedi building contest, as well as splashing of water. Hi-Light: A Procession and decoration of the piling rice vehicles. Further Information : Si Racha Municipality. Tel. 0 3878 7947, TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750 (3.4) Ko Si Chang Songkran Festival Date: 13 – 19 April 2008 Venue: Ko Si

“2008 Songkran Splendours” (13 locations) 1. Bangkok Songkran Festival Date: 12 – 15 April 2008 Venue: at 9 royal temples and around Rattanakosin Island Hi-Light: * Songkran Celebration of the 4 Regions (southern section of Sanam Luang near Wat Phra Kaeo) Bathing of Buddha images from the 4 regions, local food and dessert making demonstrations, and cultural shows from various regions. Open Ceremony on 12th April 2008 18.00-21.00 hrs. at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng) * Paying worship at 9 royal temples around Rattanakosin Island. On 12-15 April 2008 09.00-18.00 hrs. : Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo), Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho), Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Chanasongkram , Wat Rakung, Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng), and Wat Kalayanamitr. Participants will receive a Passport of the 9 temples at each public relations point of each temple. After receiving the stamp from all the temples, a coupon for a lucky prize will be given. * Fun-filled splashing in traditional Thai dress, Khao San Road with various forms of Songkran fun, on 12-15 April 2008 at 07.00-18.00 hrs. * Banglamphu community at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, Phra Athit Road and Wisut Kasat., on 12-13 April 2008 Further Information : Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Tel. 02 250 5500 ext. 3470. TAT Call Center 1672 website : www.songkran.net