Moon Festival in Bangkok, Thailand

The sky lit up with fireworks, and the river sparkled, as Thai revelers gathered to celebrate the full moon festival, releasing banana rafts and incense sticks, in the belief it will banish bad luck.

The event, held south of Bangkok, takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month every year.

The festival is seen as a chance to repent of sins and appease the water gods -- particularly important for a community which makes its living from the water.

[Kattaliya Tanapongpipat, Bangkok Reveler]:
"I wish some bad things will go away with the float and apologize to the river if I have done something bad to it."

As the night progresses, the crowd grows as groups of friends, families and young couples float their rafts along the river - with some putting nail clippings and hair inside to ensure longevity, fulfillment of wishes and the release of sins.

Around one hundred thousand banana rafts were launched at this year's event.