Now that I’m living in Asia I need to get accustomed and familiar with Asian culture and “how it’s done” in Asia. This is not as easy at it sounds but I’ve always seen myself as an open minded individual and I am willing to try everything once!
However it was a bit of a shock when I was told only yesterday that today 21 Nov is the Thai New Year or Loi Krathong. Naturally there will be huge celebrations, regional food displays, music and dancing. This is all great and I’m always up for a good party but it would have been even greater if I had more than one days
notice, however I’m bracing myself and going with the flow, something that does not come naturally to me but I am not living in London any more and the days of careful party planning, handwritten invitations, Waitrose and vintage port is sadly over. Instead it has been replaced with colorful Asian festivals, seafood BBQ’s, full moon parties, white powdery beaches and cheap local whisky.
A hard life all-together.
So what am I exactly getting myself into on this unexpected unplanned New Years Eve? Thai New Year or Loi Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12-month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this falls in November and will be celebrated this year on the 21st, today!
“loi” means “to float” and a “krathong” is a raft. Traditionally this is made from a section of a banana tree trunk. The krathong is then decorated with elaborately folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks.
During the night of the full moon people from all over Thailand will float their krathongs (see photo section) on rivers, lakes and the sea. Thai people believe that floating a raft on the river is to honor and pay respect to the goddess of water. This gesture is also to apologize to the goddess of the water for the bad things they have done to the river during the past year. (They might need a very big krathong!)
However, it is a day of celebrations and I cant wait to see the rivers and the sea lit up with banana rafts and candles. Equally I cant wait to taste food from all over Thailand, a rare occasion to sample dishes sometimes
only to be found in those regions and the only way to do this is to personally travel to the different regions in order to taste their culinary delights but tonight it’s all in one place and I cant wait to taste it all and wash it down with local beer!
Happy New Year or Loi Krathong!!
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