100 baht each for a 1.5hr boat cruise on Chao Praya river, 50 baht for Loy Krathong that is value for $.

Loi Krathong 2010 on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. I was on a fine old teak boat to launch my krathong as sky lanterns drifted overhead. This short video is of my lit incense right before I released it in the river. Details here: medblogcontest.com

One of the key Thai festivals on the annual calendar, Loi Krathong, took place on Monday evening, Bangkok’s populace heading in droves for the water to light candles nestling on small “rafts” (Krathong) that are then gently lowered into the river, wishes are made, the hopes and dreams of city dwellers, along with any bad luck, consigned with a flourish for safekeeping to the dark swirling waters of the Chao Phraya River which winds like a giant, lazy snake through the heart of Bangkok. I start tonights adventure at the southern end of the city where the BTS line crosses the river, and I get a quick idea what is in store when I try to squeeze onto the Skytrain at Siam, which is packed to the rafters, not the norm for the post rush hour. Alighting from the spur line at Saphan Taksin Station where the BTS disgorges passengers before skimming over the Chao Phraya on the Taksin Bridge, I am immediately and, but less unexpectedly by now, thrust into a huge scrum of people. I was expecting it to be busy here as this one of the key transport hubs where the BTS meets the river, but its really, really busy. Getting down to the Sathorn Pier it is a case of filing slowly along past stall after stall of Krathong makers selling their wares, people behind the tables busily crafting these intricate arrangements, as buyers flock around, with the skill and dexterity of a lifetime of experience. The Krathongs themselves are mostly around ten inches across with a base tightly fashioned out …