Loy Krathong is one of the most treasured of Thai holidays. The word Loy means floating and the word Krathong describes a piece of a banana tree. The symbol of the holiday Loy Krathong is a banana trunk lavishly decorated with banana leaves, flowers and other beautiful symbols, accompanied by floating lanterns that light the night sky. This holiday is one of the most beautiful traditions I have had the chance to witness, with the night sky accompanied by a frenzy of flames from bright fireworks.
Throughout my time in Thailand, I had the chance to experience Loy Krathong, which is a beloved holiday within Thai culture. The holiday is nicknamed the "holiday of lights" due to the exciting activities tied to bright lights that happen throughout the course of a two-day period. By day, people prepare to celebrate the holiday by decorating krathongs, or special ornaments. They also decorate their houses or businesses with brightly colored lanterns. By night, nearly everyone is downtown either participating in the parade, shooting fireworks on the lakefront or releasing krathongs into the river or lanterns into the air out of respect for the ancestors or spirits.
