Loy Krathong

is as old as Thai heritage and represents a close bond between Thai culture and water. The festival takes place on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month when the water level is high and the climate is cooler. Participants ask water spirits to sail away their troubles in their Krathongs, which are containers traditionally made from banana leaves and carrying offerings of incense, lotus flowers and some small money.

the girls with their dresses,

then it is off to the beauty parlour to have their hair and make up done,

a few hours and several beers later they are back and ready to go to town,

Mas,

Da,

and Diana,

Mick and Mas,

myself and Diana, a pose by the Jeep, next stop Pattaya,

first stop Dang's, The New Star bar on the corner of Soi Diamond and Walking Street,

then food!

we then made our way along Walking Street and to the beach, looking at the Krathong's on the way, every bar or business has one outside of it,

in Diana's words "Scary Dairy" some of the ladies did look a bit different!

as the evening wore on more ladies were in costumes, every stop was a photo shoot,

3 Krathong's purchased at 30 baht each,

there were so many to chose from, and so many styles,

even at night a riot of colour,

then down to the sand to launch our Krathong's away,

revellers launching their Krathong's

Da, Diana, Mick and Mas on the beach,

on the way to Sisterz we met Jeff who had just finished work and come into town,

after saying Hi to Tom in Sisterz it was over to see Nick and Maureen in their bar,

which is almost opposite Polo,

I have not seen Walking Street this busy in years!

for a night cap we went to see Juu in Champions,

and finally to buy some food for when we get home, and then who should we bump into? none other than Jordan and one of his friends, home at last! a wonderful evening, so many things to look at, Diana and all of the girls were so thrilled to dress up, and so many people complimented on how nice they all looked, it was all worth the effort and as you might guess we are all looking forward to next year.