Photo of the Week - Khom Loy

This jelly fish look alike thing is actually a floating paper lantern, called Khom Loy. Khom Loys are released on special occasions, like the Loy Krathong Festivals and New Year’s Eve.

It’s a magical sight to see these paper lanterns float into the sky. Why do people do this? Lanna (Northern Thai) people believe that misfortunes will also float away with the lanterns. This is also the case for floating Krathongs (banana leaf boats) down the river.

Each year, in Chiang Mai, as part of the Loy Krathong/Yi Peng Festival, a mass release of Khom Loys is scheduled, usually on the Saturday before the actual Loy Krathong days. This event will be held on Saturday 24th October 2009.  It will definitely a sight to behold. For more information, and an idea of what might be happening this year, please take a look at last year’s Loy Krathong schedule.

UPDATE 4th October 2009 - The 24th October Mae Jo event has been cancelled this year. Khom Loys will still be released everywhere in Chiang Mai during the Loy Krathong Festival 31st Oct-3rd November 2009.

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