Festival of Floating Lanterns: Filipinos celebrate Thailand’s Loy Krathong

The air is filled with a strong scent of incense and burning candles. Lights flash as cameras are kept busy from people taking photos beside the lake.

By the entrance of the Lumphini park, vendors sell their own versions of Krathongs, a banana trunk usually decorated with leaves, flowers, and candles for 30 to 60 baht. But amidst the busy and colorful festival, if you listen closely, you can hear prayers and wishes murmured around the lake.

November is a special month for the Thai people. Every year for three days on the night of the 12th lunar month, thousands of people gather ceremoniously around lakes, ponds and river to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival to pay respect to the Water Goddess for the abundant supply of water in the country. It is a moment to free oneself from any negative thoughts and let anger or hatred "float away."

The tradition of Loy Krathong originates from the word Loy which means "releasing" and Krathong which means a "banana trunk" decorated with banana leaves, flowers and candles.

Christel So Chantoiseau, a Filipino expat who moved to Phuket more than a year ago, celebrated the opening of the festival yesterday with her two daughters, Amber and Olivia.

"I love to embrace and learn about other culture. I consider it as a sign of respect for all my Thai friends and neighbors," she said.

Tradition or Trash?

While many Thais and foreigners enjoy this celebration, the debate about the Krathong's contribution to pollution continues. Some environmental organizations in Thailand consider the festival an irony, as Krathongs eventually become garbage and block the sewers if not cleaned properly.

Pauline Manus, who has lived in Bangkok for 10 years, has decided not to participate in this festival. “It’s like using fireworks during New Year. It is a tradition that is hard to break. If I would do it, I would prefer to do it in a pail of water or a pond and clean up immediately after,” she said.

This also prompted some vendors to use bread as a base material instead of banana leaves or use other biodegradable materials. Some Thais prefer to celebrate the festival online in order to reduce the garbage produced after the festival.

Despite these concerns, Thais continue the tradition of the festival as a way to reflect, celebrate, or reunite with friends and families. Some believe that if your candle stays alight until your Krathong disappears in sight, it will bring you good fortune in the coming year. — LA, GMA News