what is loy krathong festival

Loy Krathong is a Thai festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and in nearby countries with significant South Western Tai cultures. The festival takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which usually falls in November in the Western calendar. During the festival, people gather around lakes, rivers, and canals to release small, illuminated boat offerings made of banana stalks and leaves to pay respect to the Goddess of Water and the Buddha. It is a time to thank the Water Goddess for a year's worth of her abundant supply, and to symbolize letting go of negativity and misfortune. The sight of thousands of krathongs, decorated with candles, incense, and flowers, floating on the water is a truly magical sight. The festival is also known as the "Thai Festival of Lights" and is celebrated under different names in other countries, such as the Lantern Festival in China and the Tazaungdaing festival in Myanmar