Loy Krathong Festival

One of the most beautiful and popular festivals in early November is the Loy Krathong festival. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country.

“Loy” means “ to float” and a “ Krathong” is a lotus –shaped vessel made of bananas leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.

In fact, the festival is of Brahmin original in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks, make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathong carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have been made of the New Year are due to start. Indeed, it is the time a joy and happiness as the sufferings and floated away.

The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. People of all walks of life carry Krathong to the rivers nearby. After lighting the candles and joss-sticks and making a wish, they gently place the Krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight.

A beauty Queen Contest is an important part of the festival and for this occasion, it is called “The Noppamas Queen Contest”. Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period. Old historical documents refer to her as the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai King named “ Lithai”. Noppamas was said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion.

Adapted by Krooso

Answer the questions 1. When is Loy krathong celebrated? a. November b. December c. March d. January 2. Which is not contained in a krathong? a. Flowers b. Candle c. Coin d. Rice 3. What should krathong be made of? a. Plastics b. banana leaves c. Foam d. Aluminum 4. Who was the king when the Loy Krathong festival was believed to

begin? a. King Rama II b. King Ramkamhaeng the Great c. King Lithai d. King Narai the Great 5. What was the capital of Thailand Then? a. Ayuthaya b. Lobburi c. Bangkok d. Sukhothai 6. Who made the first decorated krathong in this festival? a. Goddess b. Noppamas c. Brahmin d. Queen of Loy Krathong Festival 7. What do people do before they put their krathongs in rivers? a. Make a wish b. Put out the candle c. Ramwong together d. Have a beauty Queen Contest 8. What is an original krathong look like? a. A lotus b. A banana c. A moon d. A joss stick 9. What is thought to be carried away with a krathong? a. Good luck b. Kindness c. Happiness d. Bad luck 10. What is not the reason for celebrating Loy Krathong? a. To thank the Goddess of water. b. To ask pardon from the Goddess of water c. To give offerings to the Goddess of water.

d. To enjoy talking, singing and dancing together.

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