Loy Krathong at the Inverloch jetty At dusk on November 27 – a full moon – the Inverloch jetty was transformed by a Buddhist ritual: Loy Krathong, or the Full Moon Ceremony.
Local Thai people and Karen people from Myanmar, their families and friends gathered with hand-made wreaths decorated with flowers and candles.
Ploen Panyo, who helped to organise the ceremony, said it was an important part of Buddhist culture for people from many countries.
Local Thai people and Karen people from Myanmar, their families and friends gathered with hand-made wreaths decorated with flowers and candles.
Ploen Panyo, who helped to organise the ceremony, said it was an important part of Buddhist culture for people from many countries.
“At Loy Krathong, we apologise to the Goddess of Water and we thank Her. We say sorry for polluting the oceans and rivers. We say thank you for the life that water gives.”
The offerings, known as Krathongs, are collections of flowers, candles and incense.
“They are beautiful and are made of natural materials. They also include food that the fish can eat. Everything in a Krathong can dissolve into water.”
The offerings, known as Krathongs, are collections of flowers, candles and incense.
“They are beautiful and are made of natural materials. They also include food that the fish can eat. Everything in a Krathong can dissolve into water.”
| Each year, there are more people at this quiet and beautiful ceremony. One of those present this uear was Annie Chisholm, a volunteer tutor in the Australian migrant English program at the Bass Coast Adult Learning. “The students had been talking about Loy Krathong for weeks. They invited me to join them. What a treat for my husband and me to be involved." Annie said the ritual of “thanks and sorry” reminded her of Christian ceremonies at Christmas, New Year and Easter. “As darkness gathered, the little kids in their colourful traditional costumes released their offerings decorated with flowers and candles and the current carried them away serenely into the night. I could see a line of them, with the fish starting to nibble. |  Words: Ploen Panyo and Annie Chisholm Photos: Terry Melvin, Laura Brearley and Susan Hall |
“I was touched by how ‘Aussie’ the kids sound and yet how important their culture is to them - an amazing hybrid.”
Ploen, who comes from the North of Thailand, said it was important to pass on the cultural traditions to children. “We have been doing it for a long, long time.”
Ploen, who comes from the North of Thailand, said it was important to pass on the cultural traditions to children. “We have been doing it for a long, long time.”