Loy Gratong

Thursday night was the popular festival of Loy Gratong (floating lanterns), the most romantic and picturesque event of the year. It always takes place on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. Most Thais create their gratongs out of banana leaves and flowers, with added incense, candles and/or money as offerings. Some add fingernail clippings and/or hair as symbols of shedding the bad parts of themselves, grudges, angers and defilements so that they can start life afresh on a better foot. Many Thais believe that floating a raft will bring good luck as a result of honouring the Goddess of the Water, Phra Mae Khongkha. Meanwhile, hundreds of lanterns drift into the night sky, in the hopes that misfortune flies away with them. 

The full moon & floating lanterns

Any body of water is suitable to set your gratong afloat, so myself and a group of English girls I've become friends with headed to Hat Yai Municipality Park. There were hundreds of people crowding the walking paths clutching their gratongs among other purchases from the many vendors. Stages were set-up everywhere with various performers displaying their talents, which were quite entertaining to say the least. We witnessed couple after couple setting gratongs off together, holding hands and making wishes. It's believed that those who do this will remain in love forever. 

Also prominent were little kids bursting with excitement, their expressions priceless. The preparations begin early in the day, if not the day before, and all sorts of attractions fill the city. It's so unusual for me to see elephants just casually cruising down the street, but another thing about Thai culture that's so cool.