Why isn't Loy Krathong a holiday? - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**!!Aaroncheg** · 11-07-2006, 06:42 AM

eventually, we got half a day off for today (Monday), the schools were ordered to close at noon so that people get home before the biggest parade starts. but still, I am a write-off! 3 days of walking and watching people and taking pics. it's just about as amazing as it can get. my favourite festival. of course the firecrackers don't stop before 2 a.m. so go try to get some sleep. kids were either absent or similarly knocked out, I bumped into several of them well into the night, watching the shows with their parents.... what day is Loy krathong next year??

**JoesBro** · 09-21-2012, 02:05 PM

It is actually for all government workers. Post office is closed too.

Oh well, the "Brahmin" theory probably bites the dust, then.

- but the ploughing ceremony is not a general public holiday then? Is it bit like the Queens Birthday in the UK which only Civil Servants benefit from -which they do not all take on that particular day but add to their leave entitlement generally? Or are the government offices closed along with the post offices?

**JoesBro** · 09-21-2012, 03:14 PM

Good question, Betti.
My thoughts are that maybe it is because its origins are Brahmin-as I understand it, Loy Krathong was introduced to the Sukhothai Court by an Indian Princess who married one of the Thai Kings. The Royal Ploughing ceremony is also officiated by Brahmin priests and that is not a holiday either.
Also maybe it is because it is purely an animist festival -devoted to the River Goddess, having no Buddhist connection.
Thats all I can think of.

**Tjfyojlg** · 09-21-2012, 03:33 PM

They are closed. But, schools are open as normal.

**Tjfyojlg** · 09-21-2012, 11:05 PM

The Royal Ploughing ceremony is also officiated by Brahmin priests and that is not a holiday either.

It is actually for all government workers. Post office is closed too.

**!!Aaroncheg** · 09-22-2012, 02:31 AM

well, neither is listed in red in my calendar, though they might be days off for some.
anyway. it's a weekend now (Sat-Mon.)

**!!Aaroncheg** · 09-22-2012, 06:16 AM

.... I mean a bank (and school

) holiday. after all, it seems to me it is the second most significant celebration after Songkran. definitely here in Chiang Mai. also, it is neither a religious nor a strictly Thai holiday, it is more cultural and overarching, it is something all people can identify with.
any suggestions?

11-07-2006, 06:42 AM	#1
!!Aaroncheg Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 460 Senior Member	eventually, we got half a day off for today (Monday), the schools were ordered to close at noon so that people get home before the biggest parade starts. but still, I am a write-off! 3 days of walking and watching people and taking pics. it's just about as amazing as it can get. my favourite festival. of course the firecrackers don't stop before 2 a.m. so go try to get some sleep. kids were either absent or similarly knocked out, I bumped into several of them well into the night, watching the shows with their parents.... what day is Loy krathong next year?? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-21-2012, 02:05 PM	#2
JoesBro Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 368 Senior Member	It is actually for all government workers. Post office is closed too. Oh well, the "Brahmin" theory probably bites the dust, then. - but the ploughing ceremony is not a general public holiday then? Is it bit like the Queens Birthday in the UK which only Civil Servants benefit from -which they do not all take on that particular day but add to their leave entitlement generally? Or are the government offices closed along with the post offices? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-21-2012, 03:14 PM	#3
JoesBro Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 368 Senior Member	Good question, Betti. My thoughts are that maybe it is because its origins are Brahmin-as I understand it, Loy Krathong was introduced to the Sukhothai Court by an Indian Princess who married one of the Thai Kings. The Royal Ploughing ceremony is also officiated by Brahmin priests and that is not a holiday either. Also maybe it is because it is purely an animist festival -devoted to the River Goddess, having no Buddhist connection. Thats all I can think of. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-21-2012, 03:33 PM	#4
Tjfyojlg Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 405 Senior Member	They are closed. But, schools are open as normal. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-21-2012, 11:05 PM	#5
Tjfyojlg Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 405 Senior Member	The Royal Ploughing ceremony is also officiated by Brahmin priests and that is not a holiday either. It is actually for all government workers. Post office is closed too. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-22-2012, 02:31 AM	#6
!!Aaroncheg Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 460 Senior Member	well, neither is listed in red in my calendar, though they might be days off for some. anyway. it's a weekend now (Sat-Mon.) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-22-2012, 06:16 AM	#7
!!Aaroncheg Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 460 Senior Member	Why isn't Loy Krathong a holiday? .... I mean a bank (and school ) holiday. after all, it seems to me it is the second most significant celebration after Songkran. definitely here in Chiang Mai. also, it is neither a religious nor a strictly Thai holiday, it is more cultural and overarching, it is something all people can identify with. any suggestions? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)