Another celebration in Khon Kaen city, Loy Krathong.The evening of Loy Krathong is one of the most picturesque festivals in Khon Kaen county. This festival is celebrated for a handful of reasons. Is the end of the riny season and close to the beginning of rice harvest. It is believed that Loy Krathong, or ‘the festival of light originated in the ancient city of Sukhothai, located about three hours west of Khon Kaen. It is not a religious holiday, but you will see many Thais praying to the water goddess, Mae Khongkha, as they send their decorated ‘boats’ down the river. Many Thais will give thanks to the water goddess for the fortune of having water while others will ask for forgiveness for using too much or contaminating it. Each candle has a prayer, memory, or wish attached to it as it makes it way down whatever body of water it finds itself on. That is the basic idea of the entire festival: it is a new beginning of sorts. Thais participating in the festival let go of whatever their misfortunes are and let the water carry them downstream and away for good. Burning incense and lighted candles cover the tops of the krathongs, which are the circular objects, usually made of banana leaves and flowers, floating down the river. Loy means ‘to float.’ It is certainly an amazing sight to watch thousands of lighted banana-leaf boats float down waterways all over the country.