November 21, Thailand
Held on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, Loi Krathong is one of Thailand's most atmospheric traditional festivals. Throughout the country, twinkling krathongs - banana leaf rafts decorated with flowers, candles and incense - are set afloat on any body of water. Festivities may include krathong-making competitions, parades, beauty pageants, cultural performances and fireworks. Celebrations alongside the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok feature huge krathong floats, boat parades and elaborate riverside lighting. Loi Krathong coincides with the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, when houses are decorated with lanterns and thousands of rice paper hot-air balloons are released into the night sky.
See tourismthailand.org for more info.
