In just a few days, it will be Loy Krathong, which this year falls on Thursday, November 22, 2018. Many people are planning to travel to various locations or take their families to celebrate Loy Krathong together, to continue the Thai culture that is seen as a way to release misfortunes and to pay respects to the Goddess of Water.

               Currently, the Loy Krathong tradition is celebrated in every province as an important annual event, with safety being a top priority. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) has partnered with the Alcohol Control Network (ACN) and networks across the country to promote the traditional Loy Krathong celebration, emphasizing the true purpose of the festival and increasing appreciation for the event by abstaining from alcohol.

                Additionally, Mr. Witsanu Sritawong, Manager of Public Policy Development at the Alcohol Control Network, provided information that the ACN is actively campaigning to prohibit the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages during Loy Krathong. Currently, 22 provinces across the country are participating in this campaign. For example, in Tak province during the Loy Krathong festival in 2011, there were 32 beer tents with both drinkers and sellers. However, there are now no beer tents in Tak, and the area has transformed into a space for creative activities. Over the past three years, what was once a major risk factor of alcohol has shifted to sky lanterns and firecrackers, which have become the primary risks instead. In Chiang Mai, the ACN has zoned the area along the Ping River as a safe zone, free from sky lanterns and firecrackers, turning it into a space for creative activities instead.

                In 2008, a fierce firecracker war broke out in Chiang Mai, causing violence that made citizens hesitant to participate in Loy Krathong. However, after we initiated campaigns to prohibit the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages and to promote a sky lantern-free and firecracker-free environment, we encouraged the practice of “Taa Phang Prateep, Song Fah, Hak Sa Mueang,” or lighting traditional lanterns, which promotes and preserves the cultural traditions of the Lanna people as an offering to the Buddha. In the early years of our campaign, there were only about 1,000 lanterns lit, but now there are approximately 30,000, and in 2018, we expect this number to rise to 60,000.

                “Previously, the issues that arose were due to the release of sky lanterns, which affected airlines and the homes of citizens, especially wooden houses, which are at risk of fire from the lanterns. With the manageable risk factors of alcohol, the ACN has shifted its focus to campaigning against sky lanterns and firecrackers, which have become the new primary risks, while emphasizing the core values of the Loy Krathong festival according to each region's traditions. In the past two years, we have refrained from celebrating the festival to honor King Rama IX, leading the public to return to the essence and appreciate the festival more. By abstaining from alcohol, we have seen the return of positive cultural practices to Thai society,” Mr. Witsanu explained.

                Thailand still has many interesting places for Loy Krathong celebrations, such as: 1. Wat Arun Ratchawararam, Bangkok, located in the Thonburi area, hosts a Loy Krathong event free from alcohol and cigarettes to reduce health risks and promote well-being among participants. 2. The area near the Sompote Bridge, Tak province, hosts the “Loy Krathong Sai Festival with 1,000 Lanterns,” held along the banks of the Krathong Sai stream, showcasing the unique tradition of Tak province where they use cleaned coconut shells to float as a long line down the Ping River. 3. Wat Phumarin Kudi Thong and King Rama II Park, Amphawa, Samut Songkhram, hosts the “Loy Krathong with Banana Leaf Sheaths Festival,” which is a traditional event of the Samut Songkhram people, featuring activities such as bell ringing, folk games, garden music, and demonstrations of making krathongs from banana leaf sheaths, along with many other fun and safe locations.

                In addition to celebrating Loy Krathong as a continuation of Thai tradition, an essential aspect that should not be overlooked is safety, adhering to the 4 safety principles as follows:

 1. Safety Choose a stable and secure location, ensuring that the banks are not slippery, and closely supervise children and the elderly.

2. No Alcohol Do not consume alcohol while driving and adhere to traffic laws.

3. No Firecrackers Refrain from lighting fireworks and firecrackers; parents should closely supervise their children.

4. No Sky Lanterns Do not release sky lanterns as they pose a fire risk and contribute to air pollution.

                The benefits of celebrating Loy Krathong safely extend beyond merely preserving culture; the values of this tradition also positively impact various aspects, such as:

1. Promoting Family Values Encourages family members to engage in activities together and float krathongs as a sign of gratitude towards the water that provides benefits.

2. Promoting Community Values Fosters unity within the community as people collaborate to create krathongs, promoting and preserving craftsmanship.

3. Promoting Social Values Encourages care for the environment by helping to maintain the cleanliness of rivers and canals.

4. Promoting Religious Values Serves to uphold Buddhism and preserve good beliefs; in some regions, such as the North, it is believed that floating krathongs is a way to pay homage to the Buddha's footprints, and there are also activities for making merit, practicing Dharma, and listening to sermons.

                Nevertheless, the Loy Krathong tradition is a beautiful and valuable practice in terms of cultural heritage and customs that have been passed down, possessing a charm unlike any other nation in the world. This is the core reason why Thailand is praised by foreigners as one of the countries with the most interesting traditions in the world. Moreover, if the people of the country collectively continue the traditional Loy Krathong celebration safely, without causing air pollution, reducing accidents related to alcohol consumption, and minimizing fire risks from fireworks or sky lanterns, it will help ensure that the Loy Krathong tradition in Thailand is recognized worldwide while promoting Thai culture and ensuring safety from various accidents.