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andancientness of the kingdom is utterly alive in Phao Thian Len Fai in Sukhothai.
The history of Loi Krathong is rather obscure. Some believe that a Krathong was first created by Thao Sri Chulalak or Nang Noppamas in Sukhothai.
Others overlook its origin yet focus on the purposes of the ritual: to pay respect to the Goddess of the Water showing their gratitude on their plentiful use of water and ask for forgiveness in the ensuing pollution. Floating the beautiful Krathong away, which is the key activity in Loi Krathong, also refers to floating away misfortune and bad things in the past and asking for good luck in the future. Although it is not a national holiday, many activities other than floating a Krathong, are conducted in this festival; such as, contests of Krathong-making and Noppamas beauty pageants, local games and performances, and fireworks.
In Thai Loi means to float and Krathong means a circular floating object with decoration of banana leaves, flowers, a candle, and incense sticks. All these are related to Loi Krathong, an event which does not occur on the same date every year; instead it counts on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. In this year, 2009, it will be held on October 31 – November 2, people look forward to going out and launching Krathongs together to predict the romantic future by the direction the Krathongs float. |
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