Thai Festivals; Khom Loy Lanterns

Visitors to Thailand are often impressed with Khom Loy lanterns. Watching these lift off into the night sky is captivating, and this explains why they are so often used during Thai festivals. The first time I witnessed one of these lanterns was on the Thai island of Koh Chang about eight years ago. I can't remember if this was at a time of one of the Thai festivals, but I do remember the sight of those lanterns lifting off into the sky. I was with some friends on the beach, and we ended up transfixed on the spot for a couple of hours while we watched the spectacular sight of these flying balloons of fire moving through the evening air. I have seen this sight many times since them but have never gotten bored of it.

Khom Loy lanterns have a long history; apparently the tradition of making them began over a thousand years ago in China. The original purpose of these flying lanterns was a serious one; they were used as a means to illuminate a battlefield so that the enemy soldiers could more easily be spotted. Thai festivals provide a far more innocent purpose for these objects, but when you look at them it is easy to imagine how they could have once been used to fight wars.

It is not just Thai festivals, or even only Thailand, where you will find Khom Loy lanterns. You will also see them used in many other parts of Asia to celebrate things and just for the hell of it. They are used much in the same way as fireworks are used in the west, but they are quieter, and in my opinion a lot prettier. If you visit one of the popular Thai islands then you are almost bound to see them in action. An evening spent sitting on the beach watching them float away is unlikely to be a time you will forget.

The purpose of the Khom Loy lanterns these days is to bring good luck; apparently you need thousand of them to get the full effect. Watching all these bags of fire float away may not change your luck, but it will probably make you happy for a few hours. If you are planning to visit Thailand, or other parts of Asia, then you really try and check these out.