Loi Krathong Festival

The Loi Krathong festival is a Thai tradition which started a long time ago to occur on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month during the so-called flood season when the rivers or canals have overflowed their banks and the moonshine reflects off the water at night. This setting presents ideal conditions for floating krathongs for all participants.

In Thailand, many people enjoy making their own krathongs made from natural resources such as leaves, the trunks of banana trees or even coconut bark. An array of colorful flowers decorate this base to really personalize the kratong and differentiate it from ones others make.  In more recent times, bread has been a popular component in krathongs rather than synthetic materials due to the environmental footprint non-biodegradable substances leave behind.  In addition to flowers, a candle or incense sticks, coins or betel pepper and nut are added to put the finishing touches to krathongs. 

Many people strive to float a krathong annually to show their gratitude to the Goddess of the Water for the life-sustaining benefits of this resources, but also to ask for forgiveness for the pollution we have contributed to the river over the past year.  Some believe that floating a beautiful krathong away in the river also represents the floating away of misfortune and sins of the past, while also welcoming good luck in the future. 

This year’s celebration of the Loi Krathong Festival in Thailand will take place on Friday, 3rd November. So, St Andrews International School’s High School will arrange special sessions for students who would like to make their own unique krathongs on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd November. The Krathong Making sessions will be held during lunch break, at 1.00 – 1.30 pm and after school, from 2.30 – 3.30 pm on both days on the 2nd floor of Gold Building. Thai teachers and CAS students will be there to provide guidance and suggestions on how to make beautiful kratongs. All STA High School students are invited to take part this krathong making activity.  As an added bonus, students will receive 1 house point for joining this session. STA Primary School students will make their own Krathongs during Thai lessons. All materials needed for krathong making will be prepared and provided to the students. When the students finish making their own krathongs, they can bring them home to float with their families in the evening of Loi Kratong.