The Loy Krathong Festival in Bangkok, Thailand

The Loy Krathong festival occurs in Thailand every year during November’s full moon. It was also a perfect time to take my first trip to one of the Bangkok’s most impressive temples! The Golden Mount, or Wat Saket, is Bangkok’s highest temple and sits at the top of 344 winding steps! Check out the video below which takes you all the way to the top!  It was a spiritual experience to be on top at sunset watching the faithful make their offerings and say their prayers.

Vendors selling krathongs by the Phranfa Bridge

Buddha at the entrance to Wat Saket

Sunset at Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

Looking up at The Golden Mount

Below the temple at the Phranfa Bridge, I got to participate in the Loy Krathong festival.  People release “krathong” offerings — little boats made from banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense — on the canals and lakes all over the country. The festival originated as a way to honor the river goddess, but it also has Buddhist meaning. “The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the krathong’s floating symbolizes letting go of all one’s hatred, anger, and defilements.” (Wikipedia) Some people put their fingernail clippings or hair in the boats to “get rid of the bad parts” of themselves.

My krathong

Thai people are incredibly welcoming to foreigners even when it comes to their holy ceremonies and everyone at the canal urged me to join in on the tradition.  Not one to miss out, I bought my krathong, stuffed a little broken piece of a dreadlock in it, and prayed to release my anger and my doubt, two things I had been struggling with recently. I watched the krathong float away and felt peace.  What an amazing evening!

It’s really fun to see all the different ways the Thai people make the krathongs for the Loy Krathong festival. There are really simple ones that sell for around 10 Thai Baht, but also very intricately designed boats made with many different types for flowers. The floating base of the boat is generally banana leaf. I like to pick one from the nicest seeming vendors, people who put a lot of love into creating them. It’s a nice way for them to make a little bit of extra money.

Krathongs float away

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We just finished our Thailand yoga retreat in December 2023 and we can’t wait to go back! Bigger Life Adventures will be in Thailand again for Loy Krathong in 2025! Join our retreat in Chiang Mai!