For general public, Krathong, which are used during the famous Loi Krathong celebration, are made from banana-leaf cups. However, there exist some uniquely different aspects in certain communities in how Krathong are made and how the festival is celebrated.

For example, in addition to traditional Krathong, people in Chiang Mai province release their paper hot-air balloons called ‘Khom Loi’ into the sky. The celebration is kwon as Yi Peng Festival. ‘Khom Loi’, meaning floating lanterns in Thai, are flown into the sky as a symbol of worship to Phrathat Chulamani in heaven. Making a Khom Loi will need a lot of artistic skills as well as scientific techniques, just like the ones used in making a balloon. Tracing paper or Sa paper is used to make air bags of various shapes. It is believed that flying a Khom Loi is like flying grief and misfortunes away from ourselves.

In Tak province, the Loi Krathong Sai Festival is celebrated. It reflects the unity of the local people. People gather at the river banks, each bringing along thousands of Krathong (locally known as Krathong Sai) made from coconut shells with dried wicks made from coconut flesh anointed with oil or ash for their inflammable as well as durable quality. There, they sing and dance with merriment.

The span of the Ping River, one of the main rivers in northern Thailand, that passes by the provincial city of Tak is not deeper than one’s waist, with underwater sand bars curving into different shapes, forcing the current to meander. When the lit Krathong Sai are released onto the right current, one after another, they would meander along and make a beautiful and twinkling curving line amid the darkness of the night.

The famous Loi Krathong and Candle Festival in Sukhothai province features a procession of offerings, including Phanom Mak – the betel offering – and Phanom Dok Mai – the floral offering – carried by beautiful girls, as well as banana-leaf floats accompanied by a pretty lady called Nang Nopphamat.

The Phanom Mak and Phanom Dok Mai offerings are to be placed at King Ramkhamhaeng the Great’s monument in the heart of the ancient city of Sukhothai. After that, people gather and float the Krathongs together on ponds, known as Traphang, inside the historical park, which was once the site of the capital of Sukhothai kingdom.

For people in northeastern Thailand, besides Loi Krathong Festival, there is another tradition that is celebrated on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month. Known as the Illuminated Boat procession, this festival takes place in the north-eastern provinces along the Mekong River. Illuminated boats of approximately 10 – 12 metres long are made from banana stalks or bamboo by villagers. The boats contain Khao Tom Mat - local sweet of steamed stick rice stuffed with banana – and donated objects. They are then decked with flowers, incense sticks, candles, lamps and tinder outside. The boats, created into various shapes such as important places and mythical creatures, lend a bright and breathtaking sight in the river.

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