Along with the customs of Songkran, Bun Bang Fai, and Loi Kratong are the floating aerial lanterns. More a Lanna (northern Thailand) festival than an Isan one, but it can be seen in many parts of Thailand and Laos and perhaps Burma and Cambodia. The name of the festival is Yi Peng and it happens at the same time as Loi Kratong. The lanterns are called khom loi in Thai. Loi (or Loy) means floating, and Kratong are the little floating boats made up from various natural or artificial materials. Generally as hot air is what keeps them floating, the fire goes out in the lanterns before they return to earth, but sometimes they have apparently been known to land on flammable locations and start a fire. And along with the Bun Bang Fai (rocket festival), they have also been known to be a hazard to navigation for aircraft, so this activity is supposed to be restricted near airports.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:34:32 +0000
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