My favorite Thai holiday "Loy, Loy Krathong" (considered by some 2 b: "Thai Valentine's day"). The candle fills the Buddha with light, while the krathong's floating symbolizes letting go of all your anger, & past sins. People cut a bit of their fingernails or hair (anything dead) and place the clippings (and some coins to "pay off the river god") on the krathong as a symbol of letting go of past transgressions and negativity. My favorite part of the night is 46 min after the festive banana trunks have sailed away, when shirtless young boys equipped with head torches snake through the rivers to pluck krathong "wish coins" formerly gifted by horrified romantic couples watching from the nearby shores/ riverbanks. I envision these gaggle of thieves later rushing into "seven" with soggy wet jean pockets full of other people's "prayer coins", ready to buy candy or dim sum, and it makes me gloriously happy!!!
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