This year's magical event falls on Monday 11 November. To celebrate this festival, the Thais set afloat krathongs (lotus-shaped rafts) with flowers, candles and joss sticks on the rivers and canals to show gratitude to the water gods, honour the Buddha, and to release any misfortunes of the previous year. In some parts of Chiang Mai, away from the flight paths, kongmings or sky lanterns are released that drift high up into the night sky.
Experience this magical festival of lights at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai, the award-winning boutique hotel with a stunning 30-suite and a rich colonial past; built around the original colonial teak homestead which dates back to the late 1800’s. It is located in a leafy residential enclave a few minutes’ walk from the historical Wat Gate Temple, Ping River and boutique shopping area.