1st photo - we're at the Ping River filled with Loi Kratong floats set in the water by residents of Chiang Mai. 
2nd photo shows a close-up of what some of the floats look like. 
3rd photo shows lanterns of light set off throughout the city. This last weekend was a 3-day celebration, Loi Krathong, second only to Thai New Year in importance and exuberance. It takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar.
Loi Krathong was originally designed to honor the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. Apart from venerating the Buddha with light (the candle on the raft), the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and sins, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. Many Thai believe that floating a raft will bring good luck, and they do it to honor and thank the Goddess of Water.
Here are some photos from the celebration and Gade at the YiPeng Parade. Like many Asian festivals, this one is is accompanied by many fireworks, on and off for several days and nights.
'Loi' literally means 'to float,' while 'kratong' refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. The kratong is made of banana leaves or bread (biodegradeable in the water). A kratong contains food, flowers, betel nuts, more flowers, joss sticks (incense), a candle and coins. Thousands of people gather along canals and rivers. With kratong in hands, they light the candle, put some coins in the kratong and silently make a wish, and carefully place their kratongs in the water and release them to the current. They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins.
On Sunday night, I went to the Ping River with Gade and another friend of hers who works for an NGO helping Burmese women get an education. There were tons of people lining the streets, selling beautifully decorated floats for 50 cents plus the normal street food, people sending off paper lanterns, very special celebratory feeling everywhere. All the homes and shops along the side streets and lanes inside the moat were lined with small oil lamps and candles. We set our kratongs floating off into the river and hoped for the best.
I wish our culture had a festival like this - it really is lovely.
