MSU CELEBRATES LOI KRATHONG FESTIVAL

On November 8 MSU Students celebrated the annual Loi Krathong festival. The actual celebration day this year is on November 10 but it is celebrated at MSU a little early as many students return home to celebrate with family. The festival included a parade, dancing competition, an address to the students by MSU President Dr. Supachai Samappito and the tradtional floating of Loi Kratong and khomb.

The Loi Krathong Festival takes place on the evening of the full moon of the twelfth month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar.  People either make or buy the loi (float) krathong (raft) which may be described as a lotus shaped raft designed to float on water. Although scholars argue the origins of the Loi Krathong festival it may be safe to say the loi krathongs are created as an offering to  the Goddess of the water, Phra Mae Khongkai and in honour of Buddha. When they are floated on the water it is symbolic of a person letting go of their grudges and floating them away.

A traditional Loi Krathong is made from a base cut from the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily. Decorations are made from woven banana leaves and flowers and topped with a candle and joss sticks to honour the Buddha. They can also contain some food, candles and even fingernail clippings and hair. A small coin is often put in the base as an offering to Phra Mae Khongkai .

This is why you see many young children waiting around until after the festivities are over to collect the Loi Krathongs looking for the coins.

It is also traditional at this time to float khom loi (floating lanterns) as a symbol of merit making. A khom is a lantern made from thin rice paper and similar to a hot air balloon. It has a small kerosene/compressed paper burner wired into the base which is lit. When the air inside is hot enough to float the khom it is released to float off into the night sky.  The floating of khom loi is not restricted to Loi Krathong festival. They are also floated at other Buddhist festival events.

The night of the Loi Krathong festival with the candle lit loi krathong combined with many khomb floating in the sky is an event which, once seen, will be remembered for a lifetime.