| In Thailand the end of the monsoon is celebrated | | | | Local youngsters seemed to take special pleasure |
| by arranging the Loy Krathong Festival. The | | | | in scaring unsuspecting adults by furtively throwing |
| celebration is held during the first full moon after | | | | crackers at their feet. Everybody was having a |
| the rainy season. | | | | good time. Normally so reserved Thais even |
| I had the chance to participate in this festival | | | | stopped in the street to talk to us and wish us a |
| during our first trip to Thailand. We asked locals in | | | | nice day. |
| Bangkok where to go to celebrate Loy Khartong | | | | For the fire brigade this was probably the busiest |
| and were told that the best option was to go | | | | time of the year... We saw a hot air balloon cling |
| north, to Chiang Mai, where the most spectacular | | | | to the roof of a wooden house, nearly setting it |
| festival would be arranged. | | | | to fire. They say that many houses have burnt |
| In northern Thailand this full moon festival is | | | | down during these festivals. Part of the tradition is |
| known as Yee Peng. In 2003 it was held | | | | that a big and decorative raft, the krathong, is |
| November 7 - 9 and the whole city was | | | | lowered into the river. Also floating on the water |
| celebrating. The festivities included contests, art | | | | could be seen hundreds of small flower |
| exhibitions and concerts from morning till night. | | | | arrangements, mounted on banana leaves and |
| People had come to Chiang Mai from different | | | | with a lighted candle and incense sticks in the |
| parts of the country. The city was prepared to | | | | middle. These are sold in the market and we also |
| receive its guests. The restaurant keepers had | | | | bought one, sending it away with a wish, as is the |
| transformed the main street into a big terrace | | | | custom. |
| area and delicious smells tempted people to taste | | | | The festival also featured a beauty contest... The |
| a great variety of dishes. Beer and soft drinks | | | | organizers had gone into a lot of trouble - we |
| were sold out of ice-buckets in the markets and | | | | could see that when watching the splendid parade. |
| by the riverside. Colorful lanterns decorated the | | | | The floats had themes like a Princess in a Rose |
| houses. | | | | Garden, a Snow Queen in her Realm, the Peacock |
| The most interesting and impressive festivities | | | | Throne....there were no limits to their imagination. |
| took place in the evening. On the waterfront, | | | | Attending the Loy Krathong Festival was an |
| people lighted white paper lanterns - hot air | | | | unforgettable experience for us. If you are in |
| balloons - and then let go of them, thus making | | | | Thailand at the time of the full moon festival, we |
| them fly up in the sky. It was a marvelous sight! | | | | strongly recommend that you take a trip to |
| Fireworks, firecrackers - carnival atmosphere. | | | | Chiang Mai. |
