TUMPAT: Despite the rains, around 2,000 Siamese community members continued to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at Wat Phikulkhong near Kampung Terbak here last night.
The Siamese, mostly flood victims, came not only from the Tumpat district, but also from other states.
In addition to paying respects to the Goddess of Water and the Buddha, they also sought God's help to protect them during the monsoon season.
Housewife Vanna Valy said she and her two daughters visited the temple last night to pay their respects to the Goddess of Water and express their wishes and hopes.
"Every year when the Loy Krathong festival arrives, my family will visit this temple, and tonight, I brought my two daughters with me.
"Apart from praying for our health and a good future for my kids, we also seek God's protection from the monsoon season," said the housewife from Kampung Balai.
She mentioned that her village would normally be hit by floods every time the monsoon season arrived, and her family would move to a nearby relief center.
The 40-year-old was accompanied by her children, Aphinya, 10, and nine-year-old Thesita, to the temple.
Another visitor who only wanted to be known as Ah Keong said he had travelled from Terengganu just to attend the festival.
"As a single man, I don't mind coming here just to pay my respects to God and always pray for my well-being.
"I hope to pray to God to save Terengganu and its people from floods," said the 40-year-old when met at the temple.
Loy Krathong, also known as Loi Krathong, is Thailand's Festival of Lights, and it is one of the biggest festivals in Thailand, also practiced by the Malaysian Siamese community.
A krathong is a small, decorative float made primarily from banana leaves, traditionally resembling a lotus flower or a small boat. The krathong is typically adorned with flowers, candles, incense sticks, and sometimes coins or small offerings.
The floating krathongs carry the hopes, wishes, and gratitude of individuals as they navigate along rivers, lakes, or canals during the festival.
This act symbolises letting go of negative emotions and paying respect to the water spirits.