Loi
Krathong Festivalby
Lani Becker, International School of the Regents in Pattaya, Thailand The
most wonderful, charming and unique of the Thai festivals is that of Loi Krathong
(pronounced loy-kruh-thong). It is very much like the American New
Year when we make resolutions, but it is celebrated thoughout Thailand in November,
on a full moon night. Everyone gathers beside every lake, river, canal,
ocean or large pool to launch tiny decorated floats, usually made of banana leaf,
with flowers, candles and incense as decoration. This act symbolizes forgiveness
of past misdeeds and is a gesture for wish fulfillment. Anything bad that
has happened (or any negative in our lives) floats away, leaving room for the
good things to come in. Like New Years, it is a very festive occasion...for
young and old. Many wear the Thai National dress on this day, which just
adds to the excitement of the celebration. At
school, we spend the week discussing the purpose of the celebration, culminating
in the making of our own "krathongs." On the morning of the "big day," the
children come to school dressed in their beautiful costumes. We parade from
the gym to the swimming pool (our closest large body of water). From here
the children set their krathongs afloat.
I have enclosed
a picture of some of the children in my class dressed in their Thai National dress
costumes, holding their krathongs. ......I think they are just beautiful......
 Sonya,
Guitar, Kristie, Fame, Palm, and Christina |
Activities:
From Stormie:
Krathongs: Provide
squares of Styrofoam and/or egg cartons (or other floatable items) and have children
decorate them with paper, ribbons, plastic flowers, potpourri, and so on.
Dress-Up Play: Provide "fancier" dress-up play clothing
and jewelry in your creative drama corner so children can pretend to "dress
up" for the Loi Krathong Festival.
Float your krathongs in a
large shallow container of water (baby pool, for example).
More ideas
are coming as I find time to create them or as I receive them from you.
Now
return to Stormie's Thailand Celebrations page
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