Yeepeng Lanna International: Loy Krathong Chiang Mai

[TotallyOz]

I got this information from a friend and am seriously considering going for the night. It is the last of November. Has anyone been to this event?

 

http://yeepenglanna.net/index.html

 

 

[ceejay]

I've been looking at this too (I'll be in Chiang Mai at the time). I'll probably just go to the main Yi Peng festival in town this year, though. If you do decide to go, Michael, you need to book soon. According to the booking section of the website, there are only a few hundred tickets left.

[Bob]

I go every year. And Ceejay's right.....if you're coming to Chiangmai for the event, you better get your airline tickets (and hotel room) soon.

 

Every year I get a little confused about when they are doing the night parades. Typically, there are three of them...the opening night parade, the second night parade (the smallest and least interesting), and the big night parade on the third night. I saw a billboard down by the Governor's house the other day that listed Chiangmai's dates for celebration from November 25th to the 29th. Seeing that (the actual Loy Krathong holiday this year is the 28th), I have no clue at the moment exactly night parades will be start or end. But I'm sure I'll be down there for at least the first night and the night of the big parade.

 

While there are lighted krathongs going up almost everywhere, the vast bulk of them are being released near the river with the Narawat Bridge being the central location. If you haven't seen it before, rather amazing to see thousands of tthe floating lanterns all over the sky. Last year, it was perfectly safe to go onto the bridge as I understand that the cops have put an end to the fireworks war occurring there (in prior years, you'd have a rocket going by your ears and scare the beejeebees out of you).

 

The big night parade (as well as the smaller ones) goes from Taepae Gate down to Narawat Bridge (or to a point near the bridge) and is a very beautiful event. If you've never seen it before, you ought to go. Beautiful floats all lit up, some beautiful Thai ladies/girls dressed in traditional costumes, and, of course, an abundance of handsome dudes participating in the parades.

[firecat69]

Having been to this Festival in Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai, I feel I can safely say there is no comparison.

 

Chiang Mai is the best by far.

[pong]

Have witnessed it last year-due to floods etc in BKK. It was GREAT and quite different from BKK, where its only 1 evening. Still in doubt if I skip BKK this yr for it and go there again.

I stay low-cost and there was not any prob to find a big choice of accomm. But you have higher stdds.

you do NOT need to get tickets-except for 1 rather far from town set-up show-which is quite superfluous and only for stupid tourists. Engage a local lad and let him show you around-far better. Or simply ask the program at tourist-info or any hotel. Half of town is made carfree that big eve. There are -for PLU really very interesting-parades (floats carried or drawn by local highschool etc classes)- a feast for our eyes. There were some pix about that last yr-in this or any of the other fora.

Bob is also right about the firecrackers, which often ruined any peaceful views. You still hear them at other locations though. As I did this very morning by 6.00-thinking another revolution was being made here, it turned out to be a really giant Chinese ''vegetarian'' procession, 10.000s of locals, all dressed in immaculate white, going donating at temples-with ear splitting firecrackers. But thats quite another thing.

[Bob]

I've gone to at least 10 years of the Loy Krathong celebrations here in Chiangmai and I'm not aware of anything involving "tickets." I think ceejay was referring to airline tickets.

[ceejay]

I think ceejay was referring to airline tickets.

Actually, I was referring to the Yeepeng Lanna balloon release, which takes place at Mae Jo (the link Michael posted leads to their website). I think this is what Pong referred to as "1 rather far from town set-up show-which is quite superfluous and only for stupid tourists." At US$ 80 a ticket, I shall probably give it a miss.

[TotallyOz]

Actually, I was referring to the Yeepeng Lanna balloon release, which takes place at Mae Jo (the link Michael posted leads to their website). I think this is what Pong referred to as "1 rather far from town set-up show-which is quite superfluous and only for stupid tourists." At US$ 80 a ticket, I shall probably give it a miss.

 

80 USD for a ticket or 3,000 USD for front row VIP's! I am not sure who would pay that price.

[Bob]

For those that may want to know, the free merit-making event (which they say is only for locals and not foreigners) is on November 24th. The international event (with khantoke dinner, entertainment, etc.) is on November 30th. Or at least that's what it says on their website: http://yeepenglanna.net/qa.html

 

I've not gone out to San Sai (near Maejo University) for this event and, given the festivities in Chiangmai proper including the thousands of lanterns being released here, wonder as to why anybody would. But to each his own.