The Journey Pen: Banana Boats and Flying Lanterns

Connor and I had the privilege to go and observe the Loi Krathong Sai festival here in Muang Tak. Loi means ‘to float’ and a Krathong is traditionally a little banana leaf boat which is set to float down the river as a thanks offering to the goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. Thousands of kratongs which are now also made from coconut shells, bread and plastic can be seen in the evenings floating down the river. Tak is particularly famous for Loi Krathong Sai, as it is a week-long festival here rather than simply a one-day celebration. Inside the kratongs people place candles, incense sticks, flowers, notes of forgiveness, money, and sometimes hair and nail clippings. The candle is to recognize Buddha as light, the releasing of the kratongs with hair and nail clippings is to symbolize the releasing of negative thoughts as well as to ask for personal blessings, and overall, the festival is to thank and ask pardon to the river goddess for polluting the river.

Thousands of vendors set up shop for the festival to sell food, clothing, balloons, plants, fish, dogs, and even tractors! (this made me feel quite at home J) The week is filled with concerts, fireworks, parades, competitions, shows, as well as “khom loi” which are floating lanterns in the sky. The floating lanterns are part of another festival, Yi Peng, which falls at the same time as Loi Krathong Sai and so they combine them here in Tak. We took in some of the 4 hour parade, opening ceremony and saw the launching of the royal kratongs into the Ping River.

It was so interesting to be at the festival and to see the Thais seek forgiveness, worship, and celebrate. There was so much preparation involved prior to the festival done by every business, organization, school, and family. Time, energy, and resources are poured into this annual celebration which is anticipated with much excitement by the Thais. This being said, it was also quite evident that the true meaning of Loi Krathong has been forgotten by most. Little value is placed on the reasons behind the festival, and the focus becomes the fun and ‘feel good’ aspects. Being there, I couldn’t help but reflect on the biggest celebration in my own culture which is just around the corner. Similarly, the true meaning of Christmas has long lost its place in our Canadian celebrations. Are we excited to celebrate Jesus Christ coming to earth, or are we just excited to celebrate? I’m reminded of Isaiah 29:13 when God says “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men”. Christianity is not about religion, tradition, or specific acts that God desires us to do, but rather, because of His deep love for us, Jesus desires our hearts.

Thanks again for reading!

~Heather

Cultural Tidbits:

-December 5^th is the king’s birthday here in Thailand and is therefore celebrated as Father’s Day. It is a national holiday and there is no school. King Bhumibol Adulyadej turns 85 today and is the world’s longest reigning head of state.