Loy Krathong

In between my busy schedule of daily ferrying extended family members to the hospital, doing voluntary work, attending a meeting and a bit of socializing, I was invited to witness the preparation of the Lotus flowers for the coming Loy Krathong festival.

This is the first time that I had witnessed such intricacy of lotus petals being put together, and the dedication of the people doing so. They are a happy bunch spending at least 12 hours a day for this work.

They told me myth has it that one of the Thai Kings, Phra Ruang’s royal concubines designed this lotus shaped krathong in which food, money, clothes etc were put inside, and they will then let them float down the river. This is because the people who were living down the river were poor and welcomed such gesture. When the king died his concubine continued doing this festival, thus his followers till today.

However, according to some writings as far back as 1863, the original festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honor the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama.

The act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go all grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better footing. Some people even cut their fingernails and hair to put on the lotus flower as a symbol of letting go of their bad luck. Many Thai believe that floating a Krathong will create good luck.

Whatever Loy Krathong means, I accept that it was for good things. Lotus flowers are being sold at various prices, and the money collected will go to donation. I bought one of the Lotus flowers in the name of my son, hoping that good things will come his way. InsyaAllah.

My very first date with Loy Krathong.