It’s almost that time of year again, for the most romantic of Thai festivals, “Loy Kratong”.

Translated as “floating raft”, Loy Kratong celebration is one of the most enchanting experiences for many visitors lucky enough to be in Thailand during the festival.

Loy Kratong is celebrated by releasing small, intricately decorated rafts, made with folded banana leaves, and decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks, into  lakes, rivers and klongs throughout Thailand. The rafts are released to give blessing and thanks to the goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

The Thai people believe that the act of freeing the kratong symbolizes the releasing of one’s troubles, worries, bad luck and grudges accumulated throughout the year, and hope for a fresh karmic start. In a romantic twist, couples will send their kratong along a waterway and believe that if the candle stays lit until it is out of sight, their love will last forever.

This video is from 2006, but the concepts and celebration do not change from year to year. TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) makes a new Loy Krathong video each year, but I like this one a lot better than the ones from this year and last year.

The night sky will glow throughout Thailand as the celebrations continue with displays of stunning fireworks and hot-air lanterns (khom fai) being released into the sky. Other cultural activities including the “Noppamas Queen Contest” beauty pageants are held during Loy Kratong.

This romantic and traditional festival officially begins on the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, which is November in the western calendar. Loy Kratong in 2008 runs from November 11-15.

Below are some deals on Chiang Mai hotels that will have you very near the action so you can join in the fun of Loy Kratong.

• Novotel Hotel Chiang Mai, from USD 28.
• Rati Lanna Riverside, from USD 119.
• De Naga Hotels Chiang Mai, from USD 91.
• Puripunn Baby Grand boutique hotel, from USD 139.
• Bodhi Serene, from USD 89.
• Buri Gallery House Hotel, from USD 36.
• Diamond Riverside Hotel, from USD 27.
• U Chiang Mai Hotel, from USD 137.
• Maninarakorn Hotel, from USD 38.
• Royal Princess Hotel, from USD 65.
• Sukhothai Heritage Resort Sukhothai, from USD 71.
• Dusit 72 Hotel, from USD 137.

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