Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong happens to fall within the holiday calendar of the high season for western visitors arrivals in Thailand, usually happening the last week of November (it depends on the Thai lunar calendar), and while it isn't timed at all for this, it remains one of Thailand's biggest festivals, its most traditional, and an experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone visiting the kingdom. "Krathongs" are floating boats made out of lotus leaves, or even bread, in which lit candles are placed and the "rafts" floated out onto any open bodies of water to be found around town. The main festivities take place along the Chao Phraya River, with hotels and restaurants offering intimate and romantic dinner packages, complete with krathongs for floating, but even canals and city parks with lakes get plenty of action and aren't quite as crowded. It's one of the biggest festivals of the year, and both pays homage to the goddess of water as well as the floating krathongs symbolising letting go of all of one's negative emotions, thoughts, and deeds.