Loi Krathong Sai Festival
(ประเพณีลอยกระทงสายไหลประทีป ๑,๐๐๐ ดวงฯ)
Tak
Loi Krathong is a nationwide tradition, performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, many provincial held this festival in different style. Many people around the world known Loi Krathong and candle festival held at Sukhothai and Krathong Sai held at Tak. As these provinces are close to each other and they held more than a day that will be a good trip to include these events in a plan. (Sukhothai Loi Krathong and candle festival has 3 days and Tak Loi Krathong Sai has 2 days). I wrote a review for Sukhothai Loi Krathong and candle festival in another page just click on the link to see it. Now it is time for Loi Krathong Sai, unique festival only in Tak. People gather at the Ping river each group of community has 2 large Krathongs and thousand of lanterns or Prathip in Thai (made from coconut shells with dried wicks made from coconut flesh anointed with oil or ash for their inflammable) ornately decorated Krathongs illuminated with candles, incense, and other decoration in order to win His Majesty the King’s trophy. Once they ready to start a larger Krathong is floated onto the river the lit lantern will be floated, one after another, they would meander along make a beautiful twinkling curving line (Sai in Thai) then follow by a smaller Krathong as the end. They have to finish all activity in a limit of time that is why the thousand of lanterns floated very quick seem like the line of stars amid the darkness of the night. During Krathong and lanterns are floated they have a singer sing a song with dancers at the back this show their unity and beautiful culture. Other remarkable activities include the floating lanterns of the Royal Family, the procession of the Royal Krathong and lantern, the illumination of Krathong Sai, a light and sound presentation, fireworks, a water curtain presentation in “The Legend of Krathong Sai”, the longest Krathong Sai, local cultural shows, local food sampling, and markets featuring locally made handicrafts and other OTOP products.