On the full moon of the 12th lunar month, the Loy Krathong festival is celebrated in Chiang Mai. This year, we had the opportunity to experience the festival in Chiang Mai, which is held over two days: on the actual Loy Krathong day according to the calendar and one day after.


Loy Krathong Sai at Wat Pha Hawm

Wat Pha Hawm attracts a large number of visitors for Loy Krathong, both tourists and locals. The temple offers a variety of krathongs for sale, including large ones made from banana trunks and leaves decorated with flowers and candles, and small ones, known as "krathong sai," made from banana sheaths and decorated with straws filled with wax.


Looking up at the sky, one can see countless golden lights, which are 'floating lanterns' released by people to make wishes. Looking down at the water, one can see a stream of floating kratongs flowing with the current, creating a mesmerizing sight.


Small krathongs are made from various materials, including banana stalks, coconut shells, and banana leaves. A candle is placed inside the krathong. The materials used can be adapted as needed.


After the Loy Krathong festival, take a walk to admire the lanterns at Wat Inthakhil Sadue Mueang. This temple features a golden ordination hall, a display of colorful lanterns, and the opportunity to pay respects to the 700-year-old Luang Pho Khao, a Lanna-style Buddha statue enshrined in a Lanna-style ordination hall.


Subsequently, we proceeded to offer candles at Wat Phantao. Here, candles are cast in earthenware vessels, allowing us to participate in making merit by writing our names on them, offering prayers, and placing them at designated spots within the temple.

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For this trip, we stayed at the Safe House Court guesthouse. After searching online, we found that it was conveniently located near the Tha Pae Walking Street, which takes place on Sundays. The guesthouse was also affordable, the owner was friendly, the rooms were clean, and it was easy to get around. Oh, and they also offer laundry services, which was very convenient for us since we didn't want to bring a lot of clothes. They charge a small fee for laundry services. If you're looking for affordable accommodation in Chiang Mai, we highly recommend this place.

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On Sunday evening, I went for a walk around Tha Pae Gate. There were lanterns displayed in various spots, and many foreign tourists were out and about. I took some photos with the orange lights near the wall and then continued walking to the Tha Pae Walking Street.

The walking street was bustling with foreign tourists, approximately 80%, but it was comfortable to walk around without feeling crowded or cramped, as the street was quite wide.

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A diverse range of goods are available for purchase, including local clothing, paintings, blown glass, handicrafts, and food and beverages.

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Walking towards the end, I encountered a chubby husky sitting and waiting to take pictures with tourists. The dog was adorable and very tame. However, we arrived late, and the dog was just getting on a motorbike to go home. I managed to take one picture with the dog and secretly took another picture of it getting on the motorbike to go home.

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Chiang Mai: A City of Enchantment

Chiang Mai, a city brimming with charm, captivates visitors with its friendly people, ancient landmarks, and diverse attractions. While some may perceive it as a bustling tourist destination akin to Bangkok, a closer look reveals a city far less frenetic and overwhelming.

#chiang mai#thailand
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