Last month, I attended one of Thailand's biggest festivals, Loy Krathong. Before going, I knew little about this festival since I come from a different cultural background. As a follower of Hinduism, I initially imagined it might be similar to Diwali, with fireworks and lights everywhere. With that expectation in mind, I carefully planned my day.
On November 15th, my wife and I set off for our first destination around 4 p.m.—Icon Siam, one of the largest and most stunning shopping malls in Thailand, and even Southeast Asia. When we arrived, we were greeted by a massive crowd, which instantly heightened my excitement. The plaza was beautifully decorated with various mascots, dazzling lights, glowing candles, and vibrant colors all around.
I crossed my finger and my expectation touch the sky already. We had our dinner inside from the food court of Icon Siam.
At around 5.30, all the guest reached the venue. Many of them are diplomats from different countries. The crowd cheered up after a beauty queen arrived on the stage. Heard that she is one of the most trending and famous actress from this generation.
After all those opening speech and things, the guests left the venue and people scattered into places for the exhibition. I was still waiting for something different, unusual.
I noticed people lining up, so I followed them and discovered they were floating their krathongs on the water. It was a fascinating tradition, but I was expecting something more—perhaps like the pictures I had seen, with people releasing their candle-lit krathongs all at once, creating a stunning scene, accompanied by fireworks lighting up the sky. However, none of that happened. It made sense, though—no one would want to disturb the delicate environment of the Chao Phraya River.
We left the place and headed back to the ferry, making our way to Asiatique The Riverfront, another popular tourist destination. I had seen that a fireworks show was scheduled for 9 p.m., but I was certain my bad luck would strike again, and I’d end up missing it. By the time we boarded the boat, it was already around 8:45 p.m. or so. Somehow, against all odds, we managed to arrive just in time—at exactly 8:59 p.m. (I even checked the clock).
The crowd was massive, and we could barely find any space to stand. By 9:05 p.m., nothing had happened. I thought, "Well, that’s just our luck," and we started considering heading back home. Just then, we heard a loud cheer from the crowd, followed by the sound of fireworks. Turning around, we were greeted with a spectacular view of fireworks lighting up the sky from the other side of the river.
It was a truly breathtaking moment—one of those rare, unforgettable experiences in my life. Thank God such amazing moments are brief; if they lasted too long, they might lose their magic. The fireworks show lasted about five minutes, but it left a lasting impression. Afterward, we boarded the free boat ride to head back home. Along the river, more fireworks lit up the night sky from both sides, likely coming from the hotels, bars, and restaurants along the banks.
But that wasn’t the end of the night.
On our way back to the apartment, we passed a small public park with a pond. Seeing many people wandering around made us curious, so we decided to check it out. It was around 10:30 p.m.
As we entered the park, I couldn’t believe my eyes! What I had hoped to see at Icon Siam was actually here. The pond was filled with candles and stunning Loy Krathongs, floating gracefully on the water. Most of the candles had already burned out, but the view was still mesmerizing. I stood there, soaking in the beauty of the moment.
Here’s the main thing: Thai people honor the God of Water by floating these beautiful Loy Krathongs on the water.
I really enjoyed this occasion—the culture, the festivities, and the vibrant colors were all amazing!
This culture and these festivals are sure to attract more tourists to Bangkok. The hospitality and arrangements are fantastic as well!
Thailand truly is incredible!
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