November's festival of light, or 'Loy Kratong', is one of the best-known events in the Thai festival calendar. The event is at its most beautiful and spectacular at Ayutthaya, the town at the confluence of the Pasak, Lopburi and Chao Phraya Rivers.

Loy Kratong is held on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. The festival is thought to have originated in Sukhothai in the 13th century when a young queen named Nang Noppamas floated the first 'kratong' offering to the deities of the river. Today people add coins, candles and incense to 'kratong', elaborately fashioned from banana leaves and a section of banana trunk. Folklore has it that couples who float a kratong together are destined to become lovers one day.

In Ayutthaya, the main celebrations take place on Beung Phra Ram, the large lake between Wat Phra Ram and Wat Mahathat. Music, dance and 'likay' performances are organized, along with spectacular fireworks displays.

Another site for the celebrations is at the Chan Kasem Pier. The celebrations here are quieter and closer to the traditional. Thai families come here to launch their kratong onto the river, either from the riverbank or from a boat in mid channel.

Bang Sai, 24 km west of Ayutthaya town, is one of the most beautiful sites for the Loy Kratong celebrations. This is the site of the Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Center and, as might be expected, the celebrations tend to be more traditional, with kratong made from eco-friendly natural materials.

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