Loy Krathong

Today is Loy Krathong - Thai people make little floating boats from banana palm and leaves - they decorate them with flowers, candles and incense. The boats are sent out to sea or launched from piers or river banks tonight after dark. Some put coins, or cuttings of their hair and nails. They send them off thankful for the year that has past and as a sort of cleansing act to welcome the year that follows with a clean slate. Couples and families can make the loy krathong as a unifying act. Some use it to remember family who are missing. An opportunity for togetherness as people sit and make these together and send them off together.