Loy Krathong

　　My friend took us to a pond to show us the festival, called Loy Krathong. I found several description on the net. According to one of them:

Loy Krathong is also called the Water Festival. "Loy" means "set something adrift" and "Krathong", "lantern". It has been observed by Thai people since long ago. Thai people get together at the riverside and offer their thanks to the Goddess of the river on a night with a full moon in December of the lunar year, which falls in October or November of the present calendar, when the water level of the river gets to be the highest. The lanterns differ according to their regional custom and are decorated with trees and leaves of banana and with a candle and an incense stick put on it. Then the lanterns are floated on the water. Not only along the Chao Phraya river, but also ponds in parks and watercourses in the city are covered with lots of lanterns and people.

　　After dinner, we dropped in at a park near my hotel, and I saw lots of people gather around a pond and let their Krathong float on the water. Very noisy, but a peaceful atmosphere around attracted me. It must have been derived from their modesty. I received good vibrations from them. I suddenly recalled the scene in which we were involved about 12 hours ago at that time. The unbelievable congestion at the immigration control might have been brought about by Loy Krathong. It is held only on one day a year. It's natural that lots of people want to join or see it. I was happy to notice the fact, but there was another bigger factor which I had found on the next day.

食後、案内してくれたのがロイクラトンと呼ばれるお祭り。調べてみると、

ロイクラトン祭りは水の祭典とも呼ばれている。『ロイクラトン』とは、灯籠（クラトン）を川に流す（ロイ）というタイの人々の間で古くから続いていた風習で、河川の水位がもっとも高くなる、旧暦１２月（現在の１０月または１１月）の満月の夜に人々が川岸に集まり、川の女神“プラ・メー・コンカー”へ感謝の気持ちを捧げる。地方により形式が異なるが、バナナの幹や葉などで模った灯籠の上にロウソクと線香を立て、川に流す。チャオプラヤー川沿いだけでなく、街全体がロイクラトン祭り一色になり、バンコク市内では公園の池や、市内をめぐる水路などでクラトンを流す光景を目にすることができる。

とある。

ホテル近くの公園の池に寄り、写真を撮った。周辺は大変な賑わいである。クラトンを販売する露店が数十軒はあったろうか。今朝の入管での混雑は年に一日だけ開催されるこの祭りのためかと思われた。実はもう一つ理由があったがそれは翌日実感することになる。

Comments

[Peter]

Loy Krathong is also a week's festivities when the dry season ends in April when people hurl water at each other.