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Thailand’s Sky Lantern Festival
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A Fairytale Journey in Thailand
Every November, in Northern Thailand, thousands of people release lanterns into the sky at the same time. These are the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals — two of Thailand’s most famous and magical celebrations. Two different traditions are celebrated in Thailand during this time.
Yi Peng is the festival of sky lanterns. People release paper hot-air lanterns, known as khom loi, into the night sky. According to local beliefs, the lanterns carry away the misfortunes, pain, and negative energy of the past year as they rise into the sky.
Loy Krathong is the festival of water. Small floating baskets made of leaves and flowers, decorated with candles and incense, are released onto rivers as an offering to the goddess of water.
This is a living celebration that everyone can take part in. When releasing a lantern, it is customary to close your eyes and make a wish. It is said that wishes made on this special night can come true.
📍 Chiang Mai — the heart of the celebration
Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout Thailand, but the most spectacular sky lantern scenes are associated with Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of Northern Thailand.
Lantern releases are restricted in the city center and near the airport due to flight safety and fire risks. That is why the most impressive mass celebrations take place outside the city, at specially designated venues. Most of these events require tickets, so planning ahead is essential.
The festival dates are determined by the lunar calendar.
Loy Krathong is celebrated on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, usually in November.
If you have watched Tangled (2010), you probably remember the magical scene where thousands of lanterns rise into the night sky. In real life, you can witness a similar spectacle in Thailand during the Yi Peng festival.
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong remind us that sometimes, all it takes is a single lantern to make a new beginning. If you’re choosing where to go this autumn, let your journey lead you to Chiang Mai.
