Forum - Happy Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong (or Loi Kratong, Thai ลอยกระทง) is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand. It is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar.

“Loi” means “to float”. “Krathong” is a raft, traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk, decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river. In addition, fireworks and beauty contests take place during the festival.

It was beautiful yesterday everywhere near water.

Thanks for the post. Personally I enjoy hearing from locals about unique happenings in their part of the world. Thailand is a place that I would like to visit sometime.

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Very nice festival, really...like many other Asian fests!
Thanks to Lea

I was fortunate to be in Bankok at the end of this celebration. Although I did not get to see it the young lady I was with took me to her home so that I was able to see many of the boats that had been decorated for it.
I did spend New Year's Eve there and that is crazy. The cab driver nearly had me jumping out of the window, going down the 3 lane street, the wrong way because our lanes were blocked. It took the 2 guys in the back to hold me in!
I'll never spend New Year's Eve in Bankok, agian.

To those in Thailand :)
Next week is our beloved King 80th birthday
Long Live the King of Thailand - Bhumibol Adulyadej
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej acceded to the Throne as Rama the IX of Thailand on the 9th of June 1946, when he was only 18 years of age.

Is Rama a title or is it something like a pseudonyme?... Sorry if I'm unconsiderate...)

The celebration sounds like a great and fun one too! I wish you all the best and have good fortune as well! Have a great weekend and stay safe!
Kisses&Hugs,
12pleaseu

Is Rama a title or is it something like a pseudonyme?... Sorry if I'm unconsiderate...)

Hope this helps Kotikkk:
The kings in the current Chakri dynasty of Thailand are often referred to as Rama followed by Roman ordinal in English translation. The name Rama was adopted from the name of Hindu god Rama.

Kings of Thailand:

* Rama I, the Great (1782-1809), Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
* Rama II (1809-1824), Buddha Loetla Nabhalai
* Rama III (1824-1851), Nangklao
* Rama IV (1851-1868), Mongkut
* Rama V, the Great (1868-1910), Chulalongkorn
* Rama VI (1910-1925), Vajiravudh
* Rama VII (1925-1935), Prajadhipok
* Rama VIII (1935-1946), Ananda Mahidol
* Rama IX, the Great (installed 1946), Bhumibol Adulyadej

Long live the King! :) Will everybody be wearing yellow as in the last year? I came to Bangkok on the last birthday of the King and was stunned by the number of yellow T-shirts on the streets :)

As I see, the names of the first 2 Ramas contain Buddha's name!
Were they so enlightered? Or this is just a part of an ancient tradition? P.S. Sorry for even more unconsiderate questions... :)

Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke or Phutthayotfa (1737 – 1802), posthumously titled Rama I the Great, was King of Siam (now called Thailand) from 1782 to 1809, and the founder of the Chakri dynasty which rules Thailand to this day.

The future king was born on March 20, 1737 in Ayutthaya, his birth name was Thong Duang. He was born the son of Phra Aksorn Sundara Smiantra, an ethnic Mon[1] noble of the kingdom of Ayutthaya, who following the fall of Ayutthaya became Chao Phya Chakri at Pitsanuloke and his part-Chinese wife.[2][3][4] After receiving his education in a Buddhist temple, his father sent him to become a squire for king Uthumphon, and it was at this moment that he met his friend Tak Sin, who would become King Taksin, Rama's future predecessor. After the fall of Ayutthaya, he rejoined the ranks of king Taksin under the name Chao Phraya Chakri. He was given the name Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke posthumously by king Rama III, Nangklao. Chao Phraya Chakri and Phraya Pichai were considered Taksin's most valuable generals.

While serving as Taksin's general, Rama conquered Vientiane in 1778-79, putting the country under vassalage, and removing its Emerald Buddha and Phra Bang to Thonburi. In April 4, 1782, when Taksin was declared mad after a coup d'etat and was later executed, Rama assumed power, establishing the Chakri dynasty. He was crowned on April 6 as Rama I; the date is now Chakri Memorial Day, a public holiday in Thailand.

On his death, he was succeeded by his son prince Isarasundorn, who assumed the throne name of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (now posthumously titled Rama II).

Thanks for good info!

And does He have any real power? Sorry for my knowledge of todays monarchies is pretty poor...

The King does not get involved in politics. He is well respected by all Thais and people look up to him like to their father. December 5 is the King birthday, is also fathers day in Thailand. People listen to the King who wants peace and prosperity for everyone in the country. Mondays everyone wear yellow color for respect for the King, he was born on Monday. Negative comments are NOT tolerated by Thais about the King.

Our election is completed. Thaksin supporters won and more turmoil is expected. Our King wants peace in Thailand, not interest groups fighting for power.