Although not an official public holiday, Loy Kratong is one of the most popular and romantic of Thailand's traditional festivals. The festival is held on the night of the 12th full moon, which lands some time in November. The festival is held to pay homage to the goddess of rivers and waterways, Mae Nam. Participants ask water spirits to sail away their troubles in their krathongs, which are containers traditionally made from banana leaves and carrying offerings of incense, lotus flowers and small money.
Loy literally translates to "float", while Kratong is the Thai word for a sort of tray made out of banana leaves. Loy Kratong is celebrated by floating elaborate kratongs decorated with flowers, candles and incense on just about any waterway in the kingdom.
The romance is provided by a legend about the origins of the festival in 13th century Sukhothai. According to the story, Nang Nopamas, a royal consort of King Ramkhamhaeng (the founder of Sukhothai), made the first kratong as an offering to Mae Nam. She set it afloat on one of the canals of the palace so that it would drift past her lover the king. The king was delighted with the creation, and thus was the origins of the saying that if two lovers set a kratong adrift and it stays afloat until out of sight, their love will last forever.
Filip, Ricky, Henrick and Dan (our resident videographer), introduced the Loy Kratong Festival to our guests on WD04. And even if Ricky scared off the Moray Eel (or was it Ricky that got scared off?!) he still managed to recover and certify our new Open Water Divers Allan and Emma! Thanks for joining us for great diving, and in celebration of this Thai traditional festival.
Congratulations to Connor and Nate for completing their Advanced Open Water Certifications!
We'd also like to send a warm welcome to some old friends from Koh Tao - Donna and Louise who also hopped on-board for this trip!
The divesites were pristine, and to quote Donna "it's been like diving in a full aquarium"!
Day 1 - Anita's Reef and West of Eden
Day 2 - Sharkfin Reef, East of Eden, Deep six and Honeyoon Bay for the night dive
Day 3 - Up early to have Elephant Head Rock all to ourselves, Beacon Reef, and The BonSoong Wreck on the way back to Tablamu!
Similan Liveaboard
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