Mae Jo Yee Ping Festival 2009 (Sky Lantern) Video

Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November. In Chiang Mai Loi Kratong is also known as "Yee Peng". This year it is November 2nd. The weekend prior Yee Peng is celebrated just outside of Chiang Mai in Mae Jo at the Lanna Dhutanka temple with thousands of Khom Fai or sky lanterns being released at one time. Lanna-style sky lanterns (khom fai) are believed to help rid the locals of troubles and are also taken to decorate houses and streets. In addition a beautiful candle ceremony takes place including chanting and meditation. In Chiang mai for Loy Krathong which is November 1-3 this year thousands of people assemble to float the banana-leaf krathong onto the waterways of the city, honouring the Goddess of Water, launch countless Khom Fai and shoot fireworks in the same vain as they launch water at the Songkran Festival exactly 6 months from this festival.