Have you ever seen the amazing lantern release photos and thought it would be an experience to have?! Well I had too and had it added to my bucket lists and pinterest pins for years. Now I had heard of various cities doing similar but didn’t really know where the tradition really originated until I started to plan my first trip to Southeast Asia. I found a volunteer travel group that would allow me to help others, swim with elephants (OMG yes please!), and travel Southeast Asia which was a bit out of my comfort zone while in a small group (more on this trip to come). Little did I know when I booked my trip that I perfectly planned the end of my volunteering with Yi Peng and Loi Krathong.
What does it all mean?
Loi Krathong is when locals make flower or banana leaf boats with candles and float them down the river. This is on the 12th lunar moon typically in November and is how they pay respect to the harvest and water goddess. Typically Yi Peng also is this weekend and consists of the releasing of the beautiful lanterns into the night skies. Yi Peng allows locals to pay their respects to Buddha while wishing for a good future.
Where to go
The biggest release is in Chiang Mai but can be quite tricky to get tickets to or find even if you don’t have tickets. I will say I had a bit of luck to find a group heading up to the gates outside the mass release as I didn’t have event tickets (these are usually bought up by tour agencies and sold to the masses months to a year ahead of time). Though anywhere you go you can find people releasing lanterns and even buy your own for a few thai baht.
If you miss the mass release
Now if you don’t make it to the mass release don’t be too sad as there are still other amazing releases to witness. There are several temples around Chiang Mai and if you go to Wat Phan Tao you can witness the young monks release their lanterns in a ceremony that tourists are allowed to witness. This is a much more intimate experience and occurs every night of the festivities. I will say this was one of the most amazing experiences I have witnessed. Please do keep in mind that these are meaningful ceremonies to the locals and be respectful.