Loi Krathong

The main Loi Krathong festivities took place on Wednesday night and at our condo the traditional candles were placed along the path.  These ward off evil spirits.  Although there have been calls for lanterns to be banned the sky was alive with floating lanterns.  I love seeing the colourful lanterns that line the streets.  However, I can understand why authorities want to stop the paper lanterns being sent sky ward.  They get caught in trees and have also been known to land in fields, whilst still alight.  Krathongs are the lovely flower displays that get floated down the river.  This is to thank the water spirits.  The lanterns take away the bad spirits and also send good wishes to friends and relatives.  

Apparently 8600 lanterns were sent skyward in Chiang Mai alone.