Loi Khatong

Tonight there is a full moon and there are festivities all over Thailand celebrating Loi Khatong.  It is of Indian origin and it is a festival that is celebrated over 3 days of the full moon in November.  They make a Khatong, which is a flower shaped boat made from banana stems or polystyrene and decorated with flowers and carry incense, candles, a few coins and the wishes of the loi (launcher) who casts the boat into either a river, lake or the sea.  Outside our bedroom windows there are fireworks and and fire crackers being let off all around our village.  There is music coming from all different directions as people get together to celebrate.  It isn't a religious day but more of an excuse to throw a party and let off really loud and badly built fireworks.  As I type this there is a huge banging sound coming from over the back, it sounds like guns from a battleship are being fired instead of the pop pop sound of fireworks.  I am a little nervous and worried that the constant loud noises will wake up the kids and cause me a night of discomfort trying to convince them to go back to sleep.



Traditional Thai Costume


Judd made a Khatong at school on Friday, he had to dress up in a traditional Thai costume and they held a small ceremony and danced the traditional dance.  He brought his Khatong home with him, it was so pretty.  So tonight since we were too tired and didn't feel like battling all the crowds down by Lake Maprachan or the even bigger crowds that gather down at Pattaya Beach, I put Lillie to bed and took Judd to our little lake inside our village.  We lit his candle, made a wish and set it out into the water.  At first we were worried that the fish would upend it and make it sink, but they left it alone and we watched it float out into the middle of the lake.  There were many other Thai families down there too, launching there much bigger and more elaborate boats.  Then the fireworks started up over the back again and across the other side of the lake we could see the lanterns being sent up into the sky with peoples wishes as well.  It is a paper lantern with a flame that is lit and a wish is made and then they let it float up into the sky, higher and higher until it looks like a little orange star. 
It was a very pretty night tonight, quite peaceful despite all the music and noises.  It feels sort of friendly and there is an atmosphere of peace and joy.  It may sound a bit soppy, but I felt like I could just sit there all night just watching the lights in the warm evening air. 
Judd said he wished for his boat not to sink and to float all the way out into the lake, and I, honestly, could not think of anything to wish for. 


  

     Ready to launch his Khatong



The Khatong's floating out into the lake



Maybe that is a sign of content.