The Loy Kratong Festival 2021

Last week was Loy Kratong, the Thai river festival and festival of lights. This year, for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdowns, Bangkokians were allowed to gather to celebrate the beloved festival. On the night of November's full moon, people will gather along the riverside to give thanks to the vital lifegiving waters of the river. Temples will be opened at night, and everyone has fun floating flower lanterns down the river, enjoying delicious Thai carnival food, and watching traditional Thai dances and performances.

Here, a small group of monks floats their flower lanterns, or kratongs, in the water at Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.