Thai Loy Kratong Festival

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Posted on Nov 07 2000
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The Thai community in Saipan will be hosting a the 2nd Annual Loy Kratong Festival on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Pacific islands Club.

Loy Kratong is a major Thai holiday celebrated on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. In the celebration, banana cups (kratong) decorated with incense sticks, candles and flowers are floated (loy) on bodies of water.

The explanations of this festival vary. Some say it is an act of thanksgiving to the goddess of water for her gift of this life essential. Others say that kratong are floated to show respect to Buddha. Still others believe that Loy Kratong is occasion to rejoice when the planting season is over. Lovers use this occasion to test their love. If their kratong floats straight, their love is pure. But if the kratong sinks, they must work harder to make their love true.

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