11/06/2025
Happy Loy Krathong and Yi Peng to all who celebrate.
These two separate holidays coincide during November's full moon and celebrate the end of the rainy season. It all begins with Loy Krathong, making boats out of leaves, flowers, small offerings, candles, and incense. These boats are floated down rivers and streams thanking Mae Tharoni for blessing them with rains for the harvest and apologizing for the pollutants that make it into the waters. This is why, historically, krathongs are made from natural biodegradable material.
Then comes Yi Peng, the lantern festival at night. Yi Peng celebrates letting go of misfortune and the guidance towards a brighter future through Buddhadhamma (the teachings of the Buddha) Lanterns are released in tandem with pali chantings to bring luck and good fortune. This festival dates back to the Lanna Kingdom of Thailand in the North but is celebrated all over Thailand.
This year things were more subtle than normal. The beloved Queen has passed away recently and for most of the country it is a time of mourning. It is a time when the whole country shows respect for the death of an honored person in Thailand. Parties and festivals are toned down. Concerts are a little quieter. The people wear black or white for months during the grieving time. Candles are lit for many days to help the queen find her way to her next life.
May many blessings be brought to you this year. May the harvest be large and nurturing. May the rains and misfortune of last year be left behind to renew life and good fortune for the year to come.
