Loy krathong in Chiang Mai 2009 - photos

[Betti]

source: http://www.city-now.com

Chiang Mai Municipality will host the grand annual Loy Kratong Festival entitled ‘Chiang Mai Yeepeng Festival 2009’ all over Chiang Mai city. There will be many activities to attract you to join: northern lantern and Kratong parades, singing contest, beautiful pageant, Vessontara Sermon, Miss Yee Peng contest and much more.

Loy Krathong Festival Schedule

1st November
5 -11 p.m. Walking Street on Ratchadamnern Road
6-7 p.m. Yee Peng Festival Opening Ceremony at Tha Pae Gate
6-10 p.m. Yee Peng Lantern Parades at Tha Pae Gate – Pantip Plaza
6 p.m. – midnight Miss Yee Peng Junior contest at the in front of the municipal office area
6 p.m. – midnight Miss Yee Peng Contest at Tha Pae Gate

1st – 3rd November
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Lanna Lantern exhibition at Wat Intakhin
9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Cultural performances from six hill tribe groups
9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Things offering to ancestors ceremony and Lanna lantern
pass through wire show at Wat Jedlin
6 p.m. – midnight Krathong contest at Ping River in front of the municipal office and Nawarat Bridge
8 – 10 p.m. Light and Sound performances in front of the municipal office area

2nd November
8 – 10.30 a.m. City spirit house and white pagoda worship ceremony and
asking for the river’s pardon ceremony in front of the municipal office area and Srikhong port
9 a.m. – noon Northern Giant Balloon competition in front of the municipal office area
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Making a krathong competition in front of the municipal office area
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Rafting race, diving and ka-la-mang (washing bowl) race
6 – 11 p.m. Small krathong parade contest at Tha Pae Gate and in
front of the municipal area

2nd – 3rd November
7 p.m. – midnight Krathong Sai and fireworks display at the Ping River in front of the municipal office

3rd November
6 p.m. – midnight Krathong floating contest
6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Traditional activities at Wat Muang Sart Noi

[Betti]

Loy krathong festivities kicked off tonight at around 7:30 p.m. with the lantern parade. Chiang Mai University, Mae Jo University, Rajamangala University, and the Chiang Mai City municipality were the main participants. This year, the parade focused on the "golden era" of Lanna culture, and I heard the name of King Tilokarat mentioned over and over (some floats have loudspeakers). He is the ruler who ordered the construction of Wat Jet Yod for a convention of Buddhist scholars. All the floats included an elephant, I still need to find out how it is related to this king, or maybe was it just related to the legend about the construction of Doi Suthep a while earlier.

I saw someone's dress catching fire for a brief moment after someone thought it was funny to throw a firecracker into the crowd. It is noticeably getting worse every year now. Or maybe I am just getting too old and conservative. This year there hasn't even been an attempt to ban firecrackers. Nawarat bridge is the worst spot.

I don't have a professional camera so my photos are not very good but I hope they are ok and appreciated.

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[Betti]

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[Khun Don]

Nothing wrong with the photos, Betti. Thanks.

[Nymue]

Nice photos and lanterns.. My friends and i have been there in Thailand last Oct. and a little bit upset because we haven't seen and experienced celebrating Loy Kratong.. We have to go back at work early so we can't wait for Nov.2 celebration.. Maybe next year we will plan to go back in Thailand then..

[mangomike]

Yes Betti, good photos. The only bad thing is I won't be home till next week and they remind me of what I'm missing.

[mangomike]

Hi Nymue, I pass thru Dubai on my way home. Can you tell me if the Blue Elephant restaurant is as good as I have heard ?

[Betti]

This is for everyone who couldn't make it this year

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I went to Lamphun (only 28 kms away.... but some of it through crowds etc). It was nice but I am shattered. Photos.... sometime when I catch up with time. It was a full working day today and the same applies for tomorrow. I don't know whose idea was it to have an official holiday for every little thing in the calendar instead of Loy krathong, but I bet they are having a lie-in tomorrow....

[Sparky]

Great photos, Betti. It looks amazing. Can't believe I still haven't made it to Chiang Mai yet in my 4 years here. It looks like a different country compared to Bangkok. Really must get there some time.

[Betti]

Thank you. I may get murdered for this but I didn't like loy krathong in Bangkok. (my first ever loy krathong was there.) it was a giant disappointment. the crowds were unbearable, it was like a survival camp. friends took me to the Golden Mount and then we also tried going to the river (near Khao San). we never made it.