The Loy Krathong Festival is apology from the water goddess for having used and sometimes made rivers and canals dirty. it is to show gratitude to the Phra Mae Kong Ka or Mother of Water. And it is to wash away the previous year’s misfortunes and asking for good luck in the future.
1.3 HISTORY : The history of Loy Krathong Festival is believed to have originated in the time of King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand, and to have been started by Nang Nophamas or Tao Sri Chulalak, the Brahman consort of the King. She was the first person who introduced “Krathongcherm”, the banana leaf krathong in the form of lotus blossom on the festival night. The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. People carry their krathongs to the river and canals. After lighting candles and joss sticks and making a wish, they gently place the krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight. It is believed that krathongs carry away their sins and bad luck, and happiness will come to them. Indeed, it is the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away. However The history of Loy Krathong Festival is slightly obscure. First, it is to ask for apology from the water goddess for having used and sometimes made rivers and canals dirty. Second, it is to offer flowers, candles and joss sticks as a tribute to the footprint of Lord Buddha on the sandy beach of the Nammatha River in India. Third, it is to show gratitude to the Phra Mae Kong Ka or Mother of Water. Fourth, it is to wash away the previous year’s misfortunes.