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Thais celebrate Loy Kratong Festival
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Posted on Nov 05 2006
Local residents had a chance to experience a little bit of Thai culture Saturday night, as the Thai community hosted its annual Loy Kratong Festival at Pacific Islands Club.
People of different nationalities showed up to join the Thai community to celebrate and to float their own lighted kratongs—banana cups decorated with incense sticks, candles and flowers—on PIC’s water park.
Members of the Thai community also prepared presentations, keeping the crowd entertained from the time the program started at 6pm and ended at 11pm .
A group of women and girls clad in colorful costume performed traditional Thai dance numbers. Singers and a rock and roll band also took their turns on the stage.
The annual Nang Nopamas beauty contest was held, with 14-year-old Panitta Torres winning first place. Runners up were Chaweewan Promdao, 29, and Ketkanok Wongkhiat, 32.
Nang Nopamas is a mythical woman who is said to have made the first kratong and set it adrift so that it would take away bad luck.
PIC served sumptuous Thai meals and a wide choice of drinks for the guests. Linen, cushions, bags, and other items featuring traditional Thai and elephant designs were also sold during the festivities.
According to the Thai community, the explanations of the Loy Kratong festival vary. Some say it is an act of thanksgiving to the goddess of water for her gift of life. Others say that kratong are floated to show respect to Buddha. Still others believe that Loy Kratong is an 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.
