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Bangkok is the lively capital that forms an exciting part of Thailand’s unique landscape, and it sees millions of visitors each year, who pursue business or leisure in this intriguing tropical metropolis. Central accommodation is not hard to find, especially if you are seeking one of the quality luxury hotels Bangkok has to offer its visitors. An elegant Bangkok hotel option comes in the form of the Anantara Bangkok Sathorn which is the ideal city retreat as it offers five star interiors with easy access to world-class shopping and entertainment options. If you’re in the city in the month of November, be prepared with witness a marvelous local tradition that is a visual feast: the Loi Krathong Festival. Translating to “Floating Decoration”, “Floating Boat” or “Floating Crown”, this is an opportunity for Thais (and anyone wishing to partake in a charming local custom) to let go of the past year’s travails and to start anew. “Loi” means “to float” and “krathong” translates to a lotus shaped container that is set afloat on the Chao Phraya River, carrying within it a lit candle and flowers, and anything to represent the act of letting go, such as a lock of hair. Krathongs are usually fashioned out of banana leaves, bread, or even a spider lily plant, which makes them biodegradable offerings. The festival finds its origins in the adaptation of a Brahmanical festival designed to venerate Lord Buddha, and the candle represents the Buddha, whilst the floating krathong represents the spiritual release of all hatred, anger and negative emotions. The sight of all these beautiful Loi Krathongs on the Chao Phraya River creates a stunning nighttime visual that must be seen in person to be fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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