Festival of Light - Loy Krathong in Thailand

Loy Krathong is provided on 24 November 2007. Also known as the “Festival of Lights”, the Loy Krathong Sai Festival is celebrated each year on the day of the full moon in the 12th lunar month and is one of the country’s most popular celebrations. Beginning on the first evening of the full moon, the Thailand festival has Buddhist origins and offers thanks to the Goddess of Water at the end of the rainy season.

Traditionally, participants head to rivers around the country to set their “krathongs” – a lotus-shaped vessel made from banana leaves that is laden with candles and burning incense – afloat, making a wish as they do so. Many hotels and institutions hold special events as part of the festival and all are welcome to participate in the celebrations. Most of the country celebrates in some way on the night of the full moon, but many towns and cities have celebrations that last for several days

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2007 - Famous Event in Phuket

One of the famous year event of Phuket Island [South of Thailand], is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival (or jia chai in local Hokkien Chinese dialect) during the period of October, 11 to 19, 2007. The ceremonial is during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar.

During the 10-day event, participants stick to a strict vegetarian diet which is believed to spiritually cleanse the soul of devotees. Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival dates back to 1825 when a touring opera company were struck down with illnesses and only cured of their maladies by a vegetarian diet. The Kin Jay festival has taken place every year ever since beginning on the first evening of the ninth lunar month and continuing until the ninth evening.

Kin Jay festival marks the start of a period of purification. Those involved come prepared after six days of abstention from meat, alcohol and sex. The stranger ceremonies date back to the mid-19th century when a travelling Chinese opera company fell gravely ill. Fearing that they had let down their Gods, the actors performed self-mutilator rites in an effort to cure themselves. It is also celebrated by devout Chinese all over the world, although the island's five temples are the most famous venues for the strange tradition.