Lantern Festival

"Yi Peng Lantern Festival is the unique traditional practice of Chiang Mai locals. It is northern Thailand's version of 'Loy Kratong' celebration. About to happen in the festival are Yi Peng Lantern contest, light and sound presentation, rafts competition, rowing boat race, 'Kratong' contest and various kinds of local plays and performances.

The unusual ritual of launching Lanna-style hot air "lantern balloons" is a unique aspect of the Chiang Mai Loi Krathong festival in Thailand. Traditional belief has it that when these huge hot air balloons are set adrift and float away, so do the troubles of the persons who launched the balloon.

'Yipeng' literally means the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month and the Chiang Mai 'Yipeng' and 'Loi Krathong', the Festival of Lights is organised annually by the Chiang Mai Municipality in Thailand.

On the full moon night, the "krathong" or banana leaf boat contest is being organised by the Youth Club from various temples in Chiang Mai. While traditional krathong were made exclusively from banana leaves, today the krathong come in all shapes and sizes and are made from a broad range of material including coconut and banana trees. Following the contest, the krathong are set afloat on the Ping River in Chiangmai.

The final night of the celebration is the most important. A procession of spectacular "Krathong Yai" or giant krathong floats will wing their way through the streets of the northern capita of Chiangmai. The giant krathong feature elaborate decorations depicting the story of the life of the Lord Buddha, Thai literature, history and Thai art from ancient Thailand.

Many other activities of interest will also be organized ranging from Krathong Contests, fireworks and folk shows. During the festival, the entire city of Chiang Mai, its houses, streets, canals, moats and the river are decorated with lights and beautiful lanterns, making these Chiangmai festivities, a most beautiful and memorable experience for visitors to Thailand."
See a Video of the Lantern Festival (and the source of this text)