– People gather at lakes, rivers, canals or waterways to launch their krathongs into the water on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which this year takes place on November 13.
– Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Tak, Samut Songkram and Ratchaburi are some of the cities where the festival is held, along with Sukhothai, which is claimed to have given birth to this unique event.
The Loi Krathong Festival has maintained its essence over the years and is one of the most traditional festivals in Thailand. Celebrations take place in different parts of the country where you can discover Thai culture firsthand and the strong link between Thai life and water.
This event takes place each year on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month according to the Buddhist calendar, and this year falls on November 13.
Loi Krathong Festival is characterised by bringing together thousands of locals and visitors at rivers, lakes and canals to launch their krathongs into the water.
These are small decorated baskets made from banana leaves that mimic the lotus flower, which symbolise letting go of all one’s hatred, anger and defilements. It’s also important to point out that when the krathongs are dropped into the water, they have a candle, incense sticks, flowers and coins to pay respect to the water spirit, the Hindu Goddess Ganga, Phra Mae Khongkha.
After depositing the krathongs in the water, there are also other activities such as dances, parades, fireworks, music and beach bars where you can sample authentic local delicacies.
Tourism Thailand has compiled a list of the six best places in different regions to celebrate the Loi Krathong Festival, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Tak, Samut Songkram and Ratchaburi. And although the festival is more or less the same in each place, it’s celebrated in a different way.
In Bangkok, Loi Krathong is concentrated in and around the Chao Phraya River, where different stages are accompanied by fireworks shows. Visitors can dress up in traditional costumes and really get involved in this ancestral ceremony taking place in Suan Nakarapirom, in the district of Phra Nakhon, and also observe the lighting on the river of the kings as seven boats move towards the Rama VIII bridge.
We also recommend visiting the provinces of Chiang Mai, Sukhothai and Tak in the north of Thailand. In Chiang Mai, the local population celebrates Loi Krathong, releasing Khom Loi (lit lanterns) into the star-studded sky.
In Sukhothai, where the festival began, the celebration takes on particular importance with both locals and tourists gathering in Sukhothai Historical Park to enjoy the spectacular show of lights and music.
In the Tak province, people float around 1000 krathongs made from coconut shells on the Ping River, illuminating both the Rattanakosin Bridge and the surroundings.
And in the central area of Thailand, the most notable provinces are Samut Songkram and Ratchaburi.
Samut Songkram boasts the unique Kap Kluai Mueang Klong celebration, which sets afloat more than 200,000 krathongs made from banana trunks, all of them aspiring to win the krathongs contests.
In the province of Ratchaburi, the Mon people celebrate Loi Krathong Si and Loi Krathong Sai by lighting candles around Wat Bot and letting the krathongs float along the Mae Klong River.
