Loy Krathong in Phuket, November 14, 2016

Loy Krathong 2016 will be celebrated in Phuket on November 14. This year there will probably be no big celebrations or stage performance. However people with still release their floating candles into the sea or on lakes and rivers but the even will be quiet.

Vastly popular in Thailand and surrounding countries, Loy Krathong is an important yearly event and an occasion to celebrate. It occurs on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which is November 14 this year. On this night, everyone goes to the closest river, lake or beach to release a floating offering hoping for luck in the year to come.

Loy Krathong is meant to thank and apologize the water goddess. Thanking her for using her water to grow the crops and support all life year round, and also a way to say sorry for making the water dirty.As a token of gratefulness and apologies, a small decorated round raft usually made of a banana tree or bread is decorated with flowers, nicely folded banana leaves, a candle and three incense sticks.

The Krathong is then floated in the water and taken away by the stream. Couples release one Krathong each, hoping they will float away together, a sign of everlasting love. The wind often blows away the candles though…In the old days people also trim their nails and put a bit of hair in the Krathong, wishing that it will take the bad luck and illness away.

In Phuket, Loy Krathong is celebrated on all beaches, in Sapan Hin lake in Phuket town, in Karon Lake and everywhere there is water. On the beach, the new fun trend is to release flying lanterns and a pretty impressive sky can be seen that night. Then there is plenty of eating and party at the local fun fairs set in every popular place for everyone to have some fun and games.