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CAD KHOMLOY
YI PENG FESTIVAL
CHIANG MAI
Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong is a Siamese festival celebrated annually throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. The name translates to “float a basket”, and comes from the tradition of making Krathong-decorated baskets, which float on a river.
Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar; hence, the exact date of the festival changes every year. In the Western calendar, this usually falls in the month of November.
The festival is known as "Loy Krathong". Loy (ลอย) means "to float", while Krathong (กระทง) has various meanings, one of which is “a small container made of leaves which floats on water during the Loy Krathong festival”.
Krathong is traditionally a small leaf container which is made to hold a small portion of goods like a traditional Thai dish (such as "Hor Mok") or dessert. The traditional Krathong used for floating at the festival are made from a slice of a banana tree trunk or a spider lily plant. A bread Krathong will disintegrate after a few days. Banana stalk Krathong are also biodegradable, however they may take a longer time to decompose.
A Krathong is decorated with elaborately folded banana leaves, incense sticks, and a candle. A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. On the night of the full moon, Thais launch their Krathong on a river, canal, or a pond, making a wish as they do so. The festival may originate from an ancient ritual paying respect to the water spirits. Thai Buddhists in Thailand honor the Buddha. The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the Krathong's floating symbolizes letting go of all one's hatred, anger, and defilements. People sometimes cut their fingernails or hair and place the clippings on the Krathong as a symbol of letting go of past transgressions and negative thoughts. Many Thais use the Krathong to thank the Goddess of Water.
Yi Peng
Loi Krathong coincides with the Lanna (Northern Thai) festival known as "Yi Peng". Yi means "two", Peng means a “full moon day”.
Yi Peng refers to the full moon day in the second month according to the Lanna lunar calendar (the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar). The festival is meant as a time to make merit. Literally: "floating lanterns" are launched into the air.
Khomloy are made from a thin fabric, such as rice paper, stretched over a bamboo or wire frame, to which a candle or fuel cell is attached. When the fuel cell is lit, the resulting hot air is trapped inside the lantern and creates enough lift for the Khomloy to float into the sky.
During festival, some people also decorate their houses, gardens, and temples with Khom Fai, intricately shaped paper lanterns which take on different forms. Khom Thue are lanterns which are carried around hanging from a stick. Khom Khwaen are the hanging lanterns which are placed at temples and revolve due to the heat of the candle inside. The most elaborate Yi Peng celebrations can be seen in Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of the former Lanna kingdom, where now both Loi Krathong and Yi Peng are celebrated at the same time, resulting in lights floating on the waters, lights hanging from trees/buildings or standing on walls, and lights floating in the sky. The tradition of Yi Peng was also adopted by certain parts of Laos during the 16th century. Partially made Krathong showing trunk of banana tree and banana leaves.
Forest Entrance
If you visit Chiang Mai 1-2 days before the Loy Krathong Festival, you'll notice houses, temples, and public spaces decorated with ceremonial arches made from banana trees or sugarcane. These arches are adorned with traditional Lanna lanterns (Yi Peng lamps) and Thai flowers such as marigolds and amaranths.
According to Lanna belief, these “forest gates” are symbolic offerings to welcome the Buddha as he returns from the forest. It is also said that if most Lanna people listen to the sounds of the forest — even something as humble as animal calls or natural noises — it will bring blessings and prosperity to both the individual and the country.
Phra Phatip
The Loy Krathong Lanna Lantern Night Festival is marked by the soft glow of candlelight placed in small clay cups filled with wax or oil, using a cotton wick to produce the flame. These lights are lit as offerings to worship the Buddha.
It is believed that this act is a way of repaying merit to one's benefactors. In Lanna tradition, lighting the lantern is also a form of expressing gratitude for the things we have used or relied upon. The light from the lantern symbolises wisdom and is believed to illuminate the path of life, guiding individuals towards knowledge and progress.
During Yi Peng in Northern Thailand, homes and temples are filled with the warm glow of candlelight. Visitors can also take part in workshops or demonstrations, where they try their hand at making traditional candles. Loy Krathong has become not only a spiritual event, but also a meaningful and memorable cultural experience for tourists.
Khomloy (Lantern)
Thai people believe in Phra That Ket Kaew, a sacred relic associated with those born in the Year of the Dog. According to tradition, this relic is enshrined in the heavens.
As part of this belief, the practice of releasing sky lanterns—known as Khom Loi—has become a symbolic act. It is believed that by releasing the lantern into the sky, one is letting go of misfortune, negativity, and obstacles in life. The rising lantern represents a new beginning, lighting the path forward with hope and clarity.
Loy Krathong Festival
The first person to introduce Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai was Princess Dara Rasamee, a royal consort of King Rama V. Over time, the festival became a cherished tradition celebrated across all regions of Thailand, with various beliefs and customs passed down through generations.
One such tradition involves cutting a small piece of hair or fingernails and placing them into the krathong (floating offering), symbolising the letting go of misfortune and bad luck—sending it away with the flow of the river. Some people also place coins or small amounts of money into the krathong as an offering, hoping for blessings in return. Many young people, in particular, believe that making a wish during Loy Krathong can bring good fortune in love and relationships.
High Impact, Low Footprint
Local villagers and small business owners help set up, operate, dismantle, and clean the event site, creating jobs and increasing business in lesser-known Northern Thai villages.
All event structures use locally sourced, natural, and recycled materials like wood, bamboo, linen, rice paper, and beeswax. After the event, these materials are dismantled, repurposed, or recycled.
After the mass lantern releases, villagers collect used lanterns and return them to organizers for a payout, supporting both environmental cleanup and local employment.
Preservation Through Celebration
Travellers from all backgrounds are invited to join the annual celebration run by local villagers.
Guests experience Lanna culture through traditional dance, costumes, games, crafts, and food.
By making the Yi Peng & Loy Krathong Festival inclusive and interactive, Lanna culture is preserved and shared through fun activities and education.
All For One, One For All
The Khomloy Yi Peng Lantern & Loy Krathong Festival unites people from all backgrounds to share love, kindness, and good intentions.
Buddhism is practiced here for both its religious and practical values—promoting peace, unity, and tolerance. It is a celebration for the eyes, mind, and heart.
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