The full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (November 26, 2004) is the time for the Loi Krathong festival. This most picturesque of all Thai festivals. The word "loi" in Thai means "to float", while "krathong" refers to a cup most commonly made from banana leaves.A candle is placed inside the leaf cup, which is then placed on the water and left to float away, as an offering to Mae Khongka, or "Mother of the Waters". In the evening when the moon begins to rise, people carry their krathongs to the banks of the nearest waterway, a klong, river or a lake. After the candles and incense sticks are lit, the krathong is placed gently in the water and given a soft push onto the surface of the water.