Should I go to Chiang Mai in November for Loy Krathong Festival?
I've heard about the Loy Krathong festival, which I know will take place during my trip to Thailand this November and I'd like to travel up to Chiang Mai during that time. Do you know the dates or schedule of the festival in Chiang Mai? How long should I stay there for to see the most exciting parts of the festival?
Loy Krathong is undoubtedly the most colourful festival in Chiang Mai and its popularity draws thousands of Thais from other provinces to the Northern capital.
This year, the festival falls on the full moon night of Saturday, November 24.
In Northern Thailand, there are two prime sites to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival: Sukhothai, the ancient capital of Thailand and Chiang Mai.
Kratongs are decorated floats that people release on the river. Chiang Mai also has its own Yi Peng festival that runs in parallel with Loy Krathong.
Yi Peng - or lantern balloons - work on the same principle as hot air balloons and it is a truly stunning sight to watch them drifting up into the night sky.
The lanterns and krathongs are released in the hope that misfortune flies away with them.
Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and most beautiful of Thai celebrations. Fireworks are let off everywhere, particularly along the riverbanks.
For more information, visit www.tourismthailand.org
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