Loy Krathong is the famous lantern festival in Thailand and happens on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. Read more about the history and some some facts about the festival here: Five Things to Know About The Thai Lantern Festival, Loi Krathong

Our teachers celebrated the festival last week at their schools and placements, by floating their “krathongs” into rivers or oceans. Loy Krathong translates roughly to floating lanterns, floating boats, or floating decorations.

Being able to experience this festival and tradition at a Thai school and in off the beaten path Thai cities and towns is a once in a lifetime experience!

Happy Loy Krathong! 

Last night we were welcomed into a Thai friends house, guided on how to make a krathong, and taken to the local klong to set our krathongs afloat. ??? #loykrathong #krathong #festival #flowers #thailand #culture #buriram #asia #travel #teach #love #xploreasia #Greenhearttravel A photo posted by Lauren O’Brien (@laurenperry93) on Nov 26, 2015 at 3:21am PST

“Do not forget to hope and happy be” Loy Krathong 2015 ???#loykrathong #Phuket #thailand #greenhearttravel #xploreasia

A photo posted by Jennalyn Christopherson (@jennalyn.mc) on Nov 25, 2015 at 9:14am PST

Today is Loi Krathong day in Thailand. Made these beautiful floats out of banana leaves and flowers in class today. These krathongs will float down the river, symbolizing letting go of one’s hatred, anger, and negative thoughts. Cheers to that. #loikrathong #thailand #greenhearttravel #buddhism

A photo posted by @jillyxxbean on Nov 25, 2015 at 1:26am PST

Happy Loy Krathong from Bangkok! Hand made krathongs (baskets made of banana leaves) are decorated and floated in the water to symbolize letting go of negative thoughts and give thanks to the goddess of water. The candle is the light of the Buddha. Amazing and colorful celebration! #loykrathong #chaophraya #bangkok #thailand #greenhearttravel

A photo posted by Sarah Fondaw (@sarahfondaw) on Nov 25, 2015 at 8:57am PST

I spent the afternoon making krathongs (floats made out of banana tree trunks and leaves) for #loikrathong, a festival where you float bad or negative vibes away + welcome in good luck and happiness #thailand #teachinthailand #greenhearttravel

A photo posted by @heysamlam on Nov 25, 2015 at 8:05am PST

Celebrating Loy Krathong with my school was such a cool and interesting experience! Letting our troubles drift away with the krathongs (what we’re putting in the water). #thailand #greenhearttravel

A photo posted by Danielle MacGregor (@danielle_macgregor) on Nov 25, 2015 at 8:49am PST

Can you believe they made these works of art themselves?! It’s Loy Krathong day, a holiday where you symbolically float everything negative in your life away and start fresh! (And yes, I made one too but not nearly as good as these!) #loykrathong #thailandadventures #songkhla #stellasout #greenhearttravel #xploreasia

A photo posted by Stella (@stellas_out) on Nov 25, 2015 at 7:59am PST

I may not be able to go #home for #Thanksgiving but at least I was able to participate in #loykrathong which is a huge festival here in #thailand. You make kratongs and light them and send them into the water. Along with it you send your bad thoughts and karma and place a little money and a piece of yourself (usually a strand of hair or nail clipping) and make a positive wish. It’s a new beginning and a beautiful festival! Also the Kratong I made is super badass so I’m fairly confident my wish will come true. Happy Loy Kratong everyone! #greenhearttravel #xploreasia #notquiteturkeybutitlldo #makeawish #newbeginnings

A photo posted by Katie Katie (@katiekatiej321) on Nov 25, 2015 at 8:00am PST

Happy Loy Krathong!? ? ????❤?? _____________________________________ #chayadventures #wanderlusting #wanderlust #wander #travelbug #traveling #travel #travelblog #instatravel #instagood #amazingplaces #traveladdict #adventure #greenhearttravel #beautifuldestinations #tesol #teachabroad #teachenglish #blogger #thailandluxe #thailand #southeastasia #asia #banphai #khonkaen #loykrathong

A photo posted by ChayAdventures (@chayadventures) on Nov 25, 2015 at 7:45am PST

Happy #loikrathong ! Tonight we got to make our own #krathongs with some people in town and later went down to the river to send them off and celebrate at the #loikrathongfestival ! It may not be #Thanksgiving here in #Thailand but this was still just as fun! #greenhearttravel #instatravel #teachinthailand #trang

A photo posted by Lisa Dershowitz (@dershowi) on Nov 25, 2015 at 7:22am PST

Such vibrant colours ?❤????????? Loy Krathong 2015 ______________________________________ #chayadventures #wanderlusting #wanderlust #wander #travelbug #traveling #travel #travelblog #instatravel #instagood #amazingplaces #traveladdict #adventure #greenhearttravel #beautifuldestinations #tesol #teachabroad #teachenglish #blogger #travelblogger #truth #thailand #southeastasia #asia #banphai #khonkaen #thailandluxe #loykrathong

A photo posted by ChayAdventures (@chayadventures) on Nov 25, 2015 at 12:32am PST

Such a beautiful country ❤???????? #loykrathong _____________________________________ #chayadventures #wanderlusting #wanderlust #wander #travelbug #traveling #travel #travelblog #instatravel #instagood #amazingplaces #traveladdict #adventure #greenhearttravel #beautifuldestinations #tesol #teachabroad #teachenglish #blogger #thailandluxe #thailand #southeastasia #asia #banphai #khonkaen

A photo posted by ChayAdventures (@chayadventures) on Nov 24, 2015 at 9:31pm PST

Last night’s beautiful festival: Loi Krathong! I am incredibly humbled to have witnessed such a magical tradition. Loi means to ‘float away’ and Krathong is ‘basket.’ In Thailand, people make their Krathongs out of banana leaves, candles, flowers and incense. They light their Krathongs & release them into a body of water, symbolizing a new start in their lives as their negative thoughts drift away. It is also paying respects to the Goddess of water. This festival takes place at the end of the rainy season on the twelfth lunar month of the Thai calendar. #LoiKrathong #Festival #FloatAway #NegativeEnergy #NewStart #Thailand #SEA #XploreAsia #greenhearttravel #ExploreCultures #ExplorePerspectives

A photo posted by @ml_844 on Nov 26, 2015 at 2:46am PST

Happy #loykrathong2015 ! To the right are the awesome #krathongs made by our neighbors, bottom left pictures from our group after we made some, and the top left is a lady who can late and just made hers out of a #watermelon instead of the #banana tree! So much fun getting to make these, see them around own, and celebrate #loykrathong ! #Thailand #greenhearttravel #ThungYao #instatravel

A photo posted by Lisa Dershowitz (@dershowi) on Nov 25, 2015 at 4:18pm PST

Okay last one from tonight. I promise ??????? ______________________________________ #chayadventures #wanderlusting #wanderlust #wander #travelbug #traveling #travel #travelblog #instatravel #instagood #amazingplaces #traveladdict #adventure #greenhearttravel #beautifuldestinations #tesol #teachabroad #teachenglish #blogger #thailandluxe #thailand #southeastasia #asia #banphai #khonkaen #loykrathong

A photo posted by ChayAdventures (@chayadventures) on Nov 25, 2015 at 10:32am PST

Releasing our hopes & dreams up to the sky ❤️ #Lanterns #LoiKrathong #Festival #Thailand #Hope #Sky #Love #Life #ExplorePerspectives #ExploreCultures #greenhearttravel #XploreAsia #SEA #Travel

A photo posted by @ml_844 on Nov 26, 2015 at 2:49am PST

Loy Krathong ???? _____________________________________ #chayadventures #wanderlusting #wanderlust #wander #travelbug #traveling #travel #travelblog #instatravel #instagood #amazingplaces #traveladdict #adventure #greenhearttravel #beautifuldestinations #tesol #teachabroad #teachenglish #blogger #thailandluxe #thailand #southeastasia #asia #loykrathong #banphai #khonkaen

A photo posted by ChayAdventures (@chayadventures) on Nov 24, 2015 at 9:21pm PST

What is your favorite festival or holiday you’ve ever celebrated abroad? Comment below!