In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.
On the evening of the full moon of the 12th lunar month in Thailand, the holiday Loi Krathong is celebrated. Loi Krathong roughly translates as “floating crown.” People throughout Thailand make or buy little floats made from banana leaves and decorated with flowers. On them they place a candle, incense and their wishes on to send out on the water. The Lanna hill tribe celebrates the same day with the Yi Peng festival by releasing floating lanterns into the night sky.
It is said that Loi Krathong started in the ancient capital city of Sukhothai by a court lady, but that story is told in a fictional poem. It may be that it is a Thai adaptation of a Brahmanical festival to honor the Buddha and release negativity but many Thais also use it as a chance to honor the water spirits.
Some volunteers from the group that came the year before me, 124, brought up the idea of people meeting up to go to the big festival that is held every year in Sukhothai, and I jumped on that as a chance to take a cultual bpai tiao.
Sukhothai is considered the beginning of Thailand and the first capital city of Siam. It was a part of the Khmer empire until two princes decided to split off in the early 13th century. There were nine kings that reigned until the Sukhothai kingdom was absorbed into the Ayutthaya kingdom.
On Sunday, there was a huge parade with lots of dancers and giant krathong, including the royal krathong. I also participated in the festivities of the holiday by releasing a krathong and a lantern. It was really beautiful to see all of the lights all around the historical park.
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