The Festival of Lights in Thailand, a magical and spiritual ceremony

Thailand, a country located in Southeast Asia, is known worldwide for its sumptuous palaces, temples in honor of Buddha or its islands and idyllic beaches with views. The country of the smile will delight all the desires of travel because of its cultural and natural diversity. The more adventurous will be able to go into the jungle and those who wish a relaxing holiday will enjoy a moment of idleness on the fine sandy beaches looking for Thailand does not miss anything, there is a lot to do there and discover. You will also have the chance to meet the estimated local population for its kindness and hospitality.

The festival of lights and lanterns in Thailand is one of the most beautiful traditional festivals of the country and is expected every year by all the inhabitants. This ceremony is also known as "Loy Krathong", which means "floating object" in the "Thai" language. It is a symbolic object that gives a particular meaning to the traditional festival. Tourists are also intrigued and amazed by this celebration and go there to share this tradition with Thais. It is a unique celebration that has survived generations while maintaining its magic and spirituality. During this festive period, the local population takes the time to gather before Buddha. Participating in this Thai celebration is the perfect opportunity to discover the Asian country during a road trip in Thailand.

Origins of the festival of lights

This traditional festival owes its origin to another Asian country, India. The Thais took the example of the Hindu festival of Divālī where the goddess of the Ganges is thanked for giving birth during the year. Thus, the local population launches floating lanterns as a gift guide for the goddess. In Thailand, locals worship Buddha according to the same principle.

The lantern festival in Thailand

This ceremony allows Thai people to celebrate the end of the rainy and monsoon season and to be together as a family. The festival is more precisely the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar. This usually falls in November. In 2019, the date is set for November 13, and it will be the best day of the year according to Thai. In addition, they will find themselves in family.

The Loy Krathong is the name of the ceremony but also represents an object that makes all the sense of the event. Thousands of objects are made for the occasion. Those who can make them themselves and let their imagination speak, each one goes with his know-how and his personal touch. Dressed in banana leaves, these small bouquets are sold by florists and students who invade the sidewalks for the occasion. Some krathongs are true works of art and can be sold at very high prices.

At the time of the festival lanterns, Thailand changes its rhythm of life, the cities are in full effervescence. The inhabitants have to face a considerable arrival of tourists on the territory who come expressly to participate in this magical ceremony. What could be better than to discover the local culture during a road trip in Thailand by participating in the most important celebrations. As soon as night falls, the Loy Krathong festivities can finally begin. The long awaited evening by all the inhabitants is spent at the edge of the rivers. The participants are immersed in a magical and calm atmosphere. A real show unfolds where thousands of lanterns are thrown into the sky as well as many krathongs in the rivers.

Each krathong is decorated with flowers, a candle and incense sticks that will be lit just before they are launched. The holiday is an opportunity to ask forgiveness, the evil that weighs in the bottom of each person goes at the same time as the floating object. It is a symbolic good luck charm for Thai people.

What Planet Ride offers as a road trip in Thailand

On the Planet Ride website, you can find the most beautiful tours in Thailand. Opt for a sensational road trip in Thailand to discover incredible landscapes while being immersed in the heart of an authentic culture. From tea plantations in the lush jungle to the rice fields perched in the green valleys, Thailand offers a range of landscapes both sumptuous and exotic. Do not forget the heavenly beaches that border the coast of the country of the smile. We offer different motorcycle road trips in Thailand to ride a Royal Enfield. This legendary bike will allow you to travel the roads of the country with an inexplicable sense of freedom. You will have the opportunity to meet the ethnic groups living in the golden triangle, the mountainous region that lies on the borders of three Asian countries: Laos, Burma and Thailand. Discover the essentials of this country with a thousand facets such as the Khao Sok National Park, the site of Doi Inthanon or the mythical White Temple. Discover the treasures that are hidden in all corners of the country.

Are you tempted by a motorcycle road trip in Thailand? Do not hesitate to discover all our tours on the Planet Ride website and to request a free quote.