floating krathongs and lantern balloons




i have visited many parts of thailand, from hat yai in the south to chiang rai in the north. but there is one scene from my visits to thailand that has been etched wonderfully in my mind. that scene, a combined one, took place in chiang mai, the northern capital of thailand.

i must have gone there in november or december because it coincided with the loy krathong festival. it was not during songkran with the crazy splashing of water at passers-by in the streets, although that was good fun. it was also not the traditional thai massage that i found soothing and therapeutic. neither was it the magnificent doi suthep, which can be reached after climbing 309 steps.

it was the magical sight of the thousands of lighted krathongs floating down the waterways in the night. a krathong is a lotus shaped float that is usually made using banana leaf. equally enthralling was the sight of the huge lighted lantern balloons (khoom loy) that floated gracefully up to the heavens. i think we happened to be there during the yi peng loy krathong festival.

the lighted paper lanterns can only be launched at certain places after a certain time because of the danger they pose to aircraft. more than one person is needed to launch the huge balloon: one or two to hold while another to light the candle. as hot air accumulates in the balloon, it feels lighter and lighter. when you sense that the balloon is ready to take off, you release your hold on it and it will float gently upwards.