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Thai Buddhist Festival: Scenes from Loy Kratong (Loi krathong) celebrations in Phuket, Thailand. The traditional Buddhist festival is celebrated throughout Thailand, lighting up water ways with candle light under a the full moon of November with decorative floats (kratong) made from banana trees and adorned with flowers. Thailand celebrated Loy Krathong on November 25th, lighting up waterways around the country with candle lit floats or “kratongs” made from banana trees and decorated with flowers, incense and candles.
The ancient Buddhist festival is one of the most spectacular and serene occasions in the Thai lunar calendar, held on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November), marking the end of the rainy season. Originally a Brahman festival, Thai Buddhists adopted the occasion to honor Buddha and give thanks to the Godess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the krathong's floating symbolizes letting go of all one's hatred, anger, and defilement or attachments.

Romance is often in the air though, as amorous couples enjoy the intimate ambiance of it all under the full moon, releasing kratongs together in a courting ritual, placing strands of their hair and nail clippings in the kratong as a symbol of letting go of past transgressions and negative thoughts.