In the superstitious Thai town of Doi Saket, the holiday Loi Krathonga is marked by a stream of lit lanterns floating down the river, containing wishes from nearby towns. The celebration was named after a priest’s daughter, who supposedly drowned in the river after spotting the river goddess Phra Mae Khongkha. Legend has it that she reads all the wishes from under the river and grants them. 

Villagers in Doi Saket send the Puu Yaybaan, the village chief, and his monks, to retrieve and restore the sodden wishes, so they could be read by the town’s Exalted Abbot Chanarong, the head monk of the temple, on the final night of the festival.

People also often left money and jewels on their water lanterns. To boast people’s faith in the holiday and thereby maximize the offerings, Puu Yaybaan and his men would orchestrate the fulfillment of some of the wishes in the neighboring village. They would then steal the money for themselves.

A young boy, Tangmoo, is completely content and does not have any wishes. He is the most enlightened individual in the village. On the night of the festival, while discussing their scheme, the Puu Yaybaan discovers Tangmoo accidentally eavesdropping nearby and throws him in the river. 

The goddess Phra Mae Khongkha appears and kills one of the corrupt monks. Tangmoo, at peace in the bottom of the river, now reads the wishes that pass him and grants them.