SO Loi Krathong festival is celebrated by Thai's and it's believed that if you put a krathong (a lantern in the shape of a lotus) down the river, then all your bad luck will literally flow away! It's at the same time as and not to be confused with Yi Peng, which is where you put lanterns into the sky, the effect of both at the same time is wonderful, especially from the far bridge where I could stand with Krathong floating under me, and lanterns and fireworks in the sky.

Tak is one of the best place in Thailand for Loi Krathong (well that's what the people here say!) due to the very wide 'ping river' (yes ping!) We even got other 'ferrang' (foreigners) in Tak! They opened up the Dam north of Tak so there was enough flow to carry the krathong away, effectively making the flooding worse in central Thailand and Bangkok. That's how important it is!

I set of a Krathong into the river (so shouldn't have any bad luck anymore) but it got stuck in the side and didn't flow away. I was told that this didn't really matter though and that my bad luck had still gone!

At the same time as all these festivities, there was a carnival in Tak! Dodgems and all! We all went on them, but as Thai's aren't up on health and safety, or just testing to make sure all the cars are in working order, mine wouldn't stop and it was as if I had my foot flat on the pedal the whole time! Bloody scary! Though I was going to die! I was slamming full force into everyone and as there was no seatbelt I bashed my knees so much I could hardly walk afterwards! I guess it was still fun though. Definitely one of those 'only in Thailand experiences'!