The "khoom fai"

Sky lanterns are traditionally found in some Asian cultures and are airborne paper lanterns usually constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and containing a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material. In Thailand they are called khoom loi (Thai: โคมลอย, literally: "floating lanterns") or khoom fai (Thai: โคมไฟ). When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density and causing the lantern to rise into the air.


Thais use khoom fai all year round, for celebrations, to make merit and other special occasions. One very important festival in which sky lanterns are used is the Lanna festival known as "Yi Peng" (Thai: ยี่เป็ง) which is held on a full moon of the 2nd month of the Lanna calendar ("Yi" meaning "2nd" and "Peng" meaning "month" in the Lanna language). Due to a difference between the old Lanna calendar and the traditional central Thai calendar it coincides with Loi Krathong which is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar.


It is considered good luck to release a khoom fai, and many Thais believe they are symbolic of problems and worries floating away. In recent times, khoom fai have become so popular with all Thai people that it has become an integrated in to the Loi Krathong festival in the rest of country. With three young kids I can never escape releasing khoom fai whenever sellers come near, and that is usually on one of our favourite beaches on Samui. The kids love writing their names on the lantern, my eldest doing it for the youngest, and then assisting the seller hold the lantern until it fills with air and gently floats away.