One of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand is Loy Krathong which takes place during the full moon night in November. The festival takes place all over the country. They usually advertise Bangkok, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai being the main places. But most towns and villages throughout the country have equally beautiful festivities. In Samut Prakan we have three main areas: City Hall, Navy Academy and Chang Erawan. It was the later where I spent most of this evening. However, I also visited a rather smelly klong alongside a temple where people were floating their handmade krathongs. It was a beautiful site as the candles in the krathongs twinkled in the darkness. Overhead giant lanterns were floating away in the sky. In the distance I could see the firework celebrations at the city hall. When people ask me where to float their krathongs, I say it doesn’t really matter as there are events going on al around the country wherever there is a stretch of water.

At Chang Erawan, which is the giant three-headed elephant, they had many cultural shows for people to sit and enjoy as well as a beauty contest for Miss Nopamas. They also had a pond where you could float your krathong. This was my first time here for Loy Krathong. I usually go to City Hall. I thought it was very good and I think I will come here again next year. Please enjoy a selection of my photographs.

Please visit my other stories about Loy Krathong at thai-blogs.com. At the Paknam Web Forums, there are also free mp3 downloads of my students singing Loy Krathong in Thai and English.

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