Bangkok Loi Krathong Festival

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Schedule : 19 November 2002

Venue : Around the old city canal and moat or Khlong Lot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok

Origin :
"Loi Krathong" is a festival that has been held since ancient times. It is one of the twelve-month royal ceremonies called "Chong Priang Lot Chut Loi Khom Song Nam Royal Ceremony" and later called "Loi Prathip."
The festival is believed to have come from India and is based on many beliefs like the belief that it is a way to pay homage to and ask for forgiveness from Phra Mae Khongkha or to pay homage to Lord Buddha's footprint. These beliefs resulted in the lighting of lanterns and the Loi Krathong Festival.

Activities :
- Krathong contest and Miss Nopphamat pageant.
- Floating of Krathongs.
- Folk plays.

Nearby Tourist Spots :
- Maha Kan and Phra Sumen forts (Phra Nakhon)
	were built in the time of King Rama I, stretching along canals encircling Bangkok to the Chao Phraya River. The two forts are the only ones left from a total of 14.
- The Grand Palace (Phra Nakhon)
	consists of the throne halls of Chakri Maha Prasat, Chakkaphat Phiman, Dusit Maha Prasat, etc.
- Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram or Wat Phra Kaeo (Phra Nakhon)
	is a temple without monks. King Rama I ordered the construction of a palace temple in the same style as Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya.
- National Museum (Phra Nakhon)
	was originally the private museum of King Rama IV.
- Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamaha Wihan or Wat Pho (Phra Nakhon)
	is called "the first university in Thailand" because King Rama III ordered the compilation of texts and inscribed them on stone plates around the temple so the public can learn from them.
- Wat Ratchanaddaram Worawihan or Loha Prasat (Phra Nakhon)
	is Thailand's first and only castle.

For more information, contact :
- Bangkok Tourism Promotion Center.
	Tel. (02) 2257612-5
- TAT.
	Tel. (02) 6941222 ext. 1962, fax (02) 6941384