On November 5th, Thai people celebrated their annual full moon festival that occurs on the 10th full moon of the year. The festival is called Loy Kratong. Thais generally celebrate by making Kratong and floating (loy) them down bodies of water to ask for forgiveness for the way they have treated nature. It is a way to float away sins and evil influences in their lives and to ask for blessings. A kratong is made out of banana leaves, flowers, has 3 inscence sticks and a candle. Thais light the candle and inscence, say a prayer and float the kratong away. Our neighbors gathered at our neighborhood pond to Loy Kratong and we joined them. We of course, do not particpate as the Thais do, but rather pray to God thanking Him for His creation instead. It is quite a sight to see all the Kratong lit and floating in water. This year there were even some more creative kratong such as crocodiles made out of bread! Here are some pictures of our neighborhood gathering.
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