LOY KRATHONG

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The feast "LOY KRATHONG" (ลอยกระทง) is a festival event that happens every year on the full moon of the 12^th lunar month (first full moon day of November).

The "LOY KRATHONG" (ลอยกระทง) event is also celebrated outside Thailand by Thai overseas communities. This page deals about "LOY KRATHONG" celebration in Hong Kong.

"LOY KRATHONG" festival in Hong Kong is celebrated on a Sunday as a big part of Thai community is made of domestic helpers. Their day off is on Sunday only.

Before the official start of the festival, a monk is giving blessings to the Thai community.

The Loy Krathong festival including cultural performances from various local Thai people.

Isan people are numerous in Hong Kong so หมอลำ or "MOLAM" music performance is a must.

All Thai ladies wear beautiful traditional dresses (ชุดไทย).

Each Loy Krathong festival includes a beauty contest and also a Krathong contest.

Traditional Thai dances are gracefully performed.

The Loy Krathong beauty contest is divided into different phases.

Twelve Thai ladies are partipating to the first round. They are wearing traditional dress called "CHUT THAI" (ชุดไทย).

There is a pool of local judges including officials from Thai consulate.

For the first round, Thai ladies contesters get marks regarding the way they walk and regarding the way they wear gracefully the traditional dress.

Each lady gracefully greets the crown through a "WAI" (ไหว้) and presents herself shortly (name, age and province).

Each lady wears a number badge. Family and friends always cheer up when their favorite number appears.

During the first round, the ladies parade two times.

On the second time, fans can offer garlands. Garlands have to be purchased through the Loy Krathong committee.

There is a prize for the most popular lady, i.e. the one receiving the biggest amount of garlands. Of course, the popularity can be boosted when own family members support their candidate by buying many garlands!

A lady shall receive a minimum amount of garlands. If not, she may loose face if she doesn't receive any garlands during one round!

Between each round, ladies can rest. Wearing high heel shoes during a whole afternoon is very tiring.

In Hong Kong, kids got their first mobile phone at early age!

The second dress is called ชุดแฟชั่น. Ladies are wearing a white tee-shirt and jeans shorts.

Traditional Thai dances (รำไทย) are gracefully performed. It is an art form refined over centuries.

All the Thai community is wearing Thai traditional clothes.

Parents and their kids are parading in traditional Thai clothes to celebrate Loy Krathong festival.

The Loy Krathong festival is organized in a playground inside Kowloon City district.

Elegant mothers and their children wearing colorful Thai traditional clothings.

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Hong Kong officials from Kowloon district also come to Loy Krathong festival to celebrate the good relationship between the important Thai community and Hong Kong society.

Participants to various shows also receive gifts to thank them for their support during Loy Krathong festival.

Contestants age vary between 15 to 40 years old. The contest winner, first runner-up and second Runner-Up are all under 18 years old.

A first prize related to the feminine grace when walking and wearing traditional clothes ("TAENG KAI GNAM" - แต่งกายงาม) is given.

Previous years winners are part of the judges panel.

Miss Loy Krathong 2008 shall transfer her crown today to a Miss Loy Krathong 2009.

A numerous crowd is present to watch the beauty contest and the local artists performances.

The festival also includes hilarious shows with funny comedians. Men wearing women clothes are an eternal classic.

A Thai country singer ("LUUK THUNG" - ลูกทุ่ง) performs a few songs. This music comes from the folk music and traditions of Northeastern Thailand. It has become a favorite throughout Thailand. Songs are about love, sadness and sorrow.

Men wearing women clothes are an eternal classic. They try to behave like women and the cheering crowd really enjoys it.

Fans can easily get a souvenir picture with their favourite comedians and singers.

Time is running out and six contestants are already out of the game after the second round.

One of previous Loy Krathong festival beauty contest winner participates to a dancing performance.

Video shooting is performed and DVD are for sale on the next days in Kowloon City district inside the Thai community.

Miss Loy Krathong 2008 shall transfer her crown today to a Miss Loy Krathong 2009.

In year 2001, there was an estimated 15,000 Thai people in Hong Kong, largely women. Most of them are migrant workers employed as foreign domestic helpers. Other common professions for Thai people include cleaners, waitresses, hairdressers.

The third dress is called ชุดเดินชายทะเล. It is a fun dress to walk on the beach.

Before the last round, the candidates are interviewed. Enquiries are about the specialities of their province and what they would like to do in the future. The answers are taken into account to select the three final candidates.

Participants to various shows also receive gifts to thank them for their support during Loy Krathong festival.

Various prices are given before the last round. It includes the photogenic prize and the garlands prize.

Candidates have to show their best smile to the judge panel and the cheering crowd.

Three candidates only take part to the last selection.

The last and final dress is called ชุดราตรี. It is an evening dress.

Runner-up prizes are given by a former winner of Hong Kong's Loy Krathong festival beauty contest.

The contest winner, first runner-up and second Runner-Up are announced.

The festival ends up with all the contestants taken in picture by the cheerful crowd.

See you next year for the new Loy Krathong festival.

Loy Kratong Festival Photo Gallery

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