Loy Krathong & Yi Peng on the same day

In 2019, Loy Krathong falls on Wednesday, November 13 (festival begins on November 11, ends on November 13). It is a light festival (or known as Thailand Lantern Festival) in Thailand on the full moon day in November. The festival is celebrated nationwide by releasing lotus-shaped baskets, decorated with candles and flowers onto the rivers. Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Bangkok are the best places to celebrate the festival while visiting the country. Planning your trip to Thailand well will have more fun!

Yi Peng, another light festival, is celebrated on the same day alongside Loy Krathong in Northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. It is different in that lights are placed into sky lanterns. Swarms of sky lanterns, decorated with good luck wishes and prayers are released to the sky. Yi Peng usually starts 2 days earlier than Loy Krathong. In 2019, Yi Peng Festival will possibly be observed on November 11.

Loy Krathong --- The Floating Lantern Festival

Loy Krathong festival, ’loy’ means to float, while ’krathong’ is a small container, traditionally made from a piece of banana-tree trunk, containing a candle, incense and flowers. The krathong floating on the water symbolizes one’s willingness to let go of hatred and anger. Loy Krathong is one of Thailand’s best-loved festivals, occurring at the November full moon to mark the end of the rainy season.

On the night of the festival, Thai people make a wish as they launch their krathongs on the rivers. Some people place hair and fingernails inside the krathong: by doing so, they want to float away their past mistakes and negative thoughts. It is a purification ceremony to enlighten the mind. Learn more about 15 things you didn't know about Loy Krathong.

Yi Peng --- Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival

Yi Peng (or Yee Peng, Chiangmai Sky Lantern Festival) is another light festival celebrated in Northern Thailand alongside Loy Krathong. It is a Lanna festival with the biggest celebration held in Chiang Mai, which is the ancient capital of the former Lanna Kingdom.

The highlight is that numerous sky lanterns, adorned with lights, are released and ‘float’ up into the sky. Actually, sky lanterns are called khom loi in Thai language, which means floating lanterns.

The khom loi are made of rice paper, stretched over a bamboo frame, with a candle attached. The hot air of the candle is trapped inside and makes the lantern rise from the ground. However, since the lanterns can be dangerous, the khom loi are being subjected to more and more government restrictions.

During the festival, different kinds of lanterns can be seen: houses and temples are decorated with khom fai (paper lanterns); Khom tue are lanterns carried on a stick; and Khom pariwat are revolving lanterns placed on temples.

Origins and traditions of Yi Peng

Deeply rooted in Buddhism, some people believe Yi Peng is originated in India with the legend of the candle-carrying bird which once visited the Buddha and spoke to him about merit. Paying respects to the Buddha is regarded as a way to be reborn into the next life to enjoy great popularity and purity.

During the festival, people launch a lantern into the sky as if launching their own bad luck and mistakes into oblivion. If your lantern disappears into the dark before the light goes out, you will have an extremely good year. Conversely, if your lantern crashes, your next year will be full of bad luck.

A typical schedule of Yi Peng

Chiang Mai, Yi Peng Festival 2019 was mainly held in two places: Lanna Dhutanka Buddhist Center behind Mae Jo University and Cowboy Army Riding Club in Mae Rim District relocate to Chiang Mai Air Sport Farm. Both share a similar schedule for the evening. In 2019, Yi Peng Festival will be observed on November 11 in Mae Jo location.

The Lanna Dhutanka Buddhist Center is approximately 1-hour drive (18 km) from the Chiang Mai old town. Yee Peng Lanna International 2019 (or known as Mae Jo University Lantern Release 2019) commenced at 5 pm. Once you have tickets booked with an authorized seller, you will be picked up from The Old Chiangmai Cultural Center or other selected place by minivan at about 2:30 pm.

Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival held in Cowboy Army Riding Club relocate to Chiang Mai Air Sport Farm, this ceremony is hosted by the local government with an early approval in 2019. All tickets are confirmed and the event is ensured to go ahead. Chiang Mai Air Sport Farm is around 19 km away from downtown Chiang Mai. The event was from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Pick-up time was set at 3:00 pm.

Credit : asiahighlights