Loi-Freaking-Krathong!
So it’s the end of November and the moon is full, and it’s time for dear Thai folks to saunter over to a body of water–lake, river, swimming pool, large bucket–and float their krathongs. Now apparently there are a few reasons these Thai folks do what they do, one of them being to thank the river for being a source of life, seeing as we are an agricultural society and all. It’s also a way of apologizing to the river for all the horrid things we subject her to. What I don’t understand–and do keep in mind I am an earth-loving, tree-hugging pagan–is how throwing more junk into the water is the way to say, “Thank you for feeding us and we’re so sorry we keep dumping horrible non-biodegradable poisonous things in you.”
Early tomorrow morning, as little boys and bigger boys will be jumping into lakes and river and ponds to fish out the change people put in their krathongs, our dear river and lakes and ponds will get to pay the price of our gratitude.
hurrah! Rasee is here! And she’s grumpy…=/
Further polluting the waterways is an important Thai tradition that is so special it is celebrated 365 days a year (they take a day off on leap years).