The Loy Krathong festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, takes place on the full moon of the 12th lunar month. It is a very popular festival in Thailand, the date of which varies each year and usually falls in November.
In Thai, the word "Loy" (ลอย) means "to float", and "Krathong" (กระทง) is the name given to the boat, a floating plant "basket" in the shape of a lotus flower. Traditionally, it is made of banana leaves with the banana tree trunk as a base. Today, the banana tree trunk is sometimes replaced by polystyrene (although for ecological reasons, it tends to be banned), but paper, ice cream cones, bread (baked in the shape of a traditional krathong or a pretty floating turtle) can also be used. The "raft" is decorated with flowers, a candle and incense sticks.
Basically, to summarize before going into detail, the three best options are:
- Bangkok, it remains the capital so there are many possible spots and events organized throughout the city.
- Chiang Mai, for the numerous activities and the combination with the very popular Yi Peng festival and its lanterns flying by the thousands into the sky.
- S, to enjoy the original aspect of the festival in a suitable setting, at the historic site and its old temples.
The Story of Loy Krathong: From India to Sukhothai
The origin of this tradition dates back to the 13th century, when King Ramkhamhaeng, 2nd ruler of the new kingdom of Sukhothai, decided to adapt a Hindu tradition thanking the goddess of water, Ganga.
If the Thai tradition also remains in the perspective of honoring and thanking the divinity of waters, called Phra Mae Khongkha in Thailand, the celebration was also intended as an event to honor the Buddha Gautama Sidhartha. Finally, this festival also wanted to be a symbol of renewal, indicating the end of the rainy season, but also from a personal point of view.
Legend has it that it was a lady of the court, Nang Nopphamat, one of the princess consorts of Ramkhamhaeng's grandson, who was at the origin of the creation of the krathong that we know. For in those early years, the festival was known as Loy Phra Pra Teip or more generically, Loy Khom (floating lantern).
Noppamat will have the idea of creating a lotus-shaped krathong, to float in the river instead of a floating lantern. This method was already used to worship the footprint of Buddha on the Nammathanati River in India.
Thailand being Buddhist at the time, candles were added to the krathongs to honor Buddha, hence the nickname of the "festival of lights".
According to Thais, the purposes of the Loy Krathong festival are multiple:
- Ask forgiveness from the goddess of water “Phra Mae Khongkha”, for all the misdeeds against her, knowing that water is drunk and used daily, when many will throw their waste and pollute this same water.
- Honoring Buddha
- Keep bad luck and bad vibes away
Indeed, for this last reason, the release of the krathong moving away on the water symbolizes the abandonment of grudges and other negative waves in order to be able to start off on the right foot.
How to put a krathong in the water
Before floating the krathong on the river or in the pond, here are the steps to follow:
- Put a lock of your hair and/or nail tips in the krathong
- Put in some money (usually coins rather than bills)
- Light the candle and incense
- Make a wish
- Drop the Krathong
It is common to place fingernails and hair on the boat, as these symbolise the bad aspects of oneself, coins act as an offering to the water goddess. The candle and incense sticks are lit to ask for forgiveness from Phra Mae Khongkha and make a wish, before watching the krathong drift away into the water.
Where to celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand:
Nowadays, the festival is celebrated throughout the country and even in several neighboring countries. The festival is celebrated in Burma under the name of "Tazaungdaing festival", "Bon Om Touk" in Cambodia, and "Il Poya" in Sri Lanka.
In Thailand, there are a few spots where the festival is more beautiful and actively celebrated.
Depending on your choice, you'll enjoy more entertainment, traditional dance performances, the election of a Miss (referring to the princess who founded the festival), and fireworks. During Loy Krathong, any body of water—rivers, lakes, etc.—can be used to place your floating object.
But if there is current, it's better 😉 Popular belief has it that the further away the krathong goes, the further away the bad vibes go with it. Similarly, if a couple throws a krathong together, they will live a happy love, and after more than 10 years of marriage, well, I'm not the one who would say otherwise!
The other belief is that if you make a wish, and the candle flame stays lit until the krathong is no longer visible when you go far away, then your wish will be granted.
If we summarize, here are the 7 best choices for spending Loy Krathong:
- Loy Krathong Festival in Bangkok
- Loy Krathong Celebrations in Ayutthaya
- Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai
- Loy Krathong and Candle Festival at Sukhothai Historical Park
- Loy Krathong Sai and 1,000 Floating Lanterns at Tak
- Loy Krathong Kap Kluay Mae Klong Festival in Samut Songkhram
- Summa Nam Khuen Pheng Seng Prathip to Roi And
Bangkok: Loy Krathong Festival
If you are in the capital, you will have a front row seat to watch shows, parades and fireworks on the banks of the Chao Phraya.
Here is a list of the best places to enjoy the entertainment in the city:
- Icon Siam : Bangkok's last big shopping mall is no slouch when it comes to hosting major events. And that's good, because it's on the banks of the Chao Phraya. To get there, take the BTS to Saphan Taksin and enjoy a free shuttle to reach it by boat.
- The Asian : an alternative to Icon Siam, in the opposite direction, same story to get there, BTS Saphan Taksin then free shuttle as well.
- Wat Arun : the iconic temple of Bangkok that needs no introduction!
- Wat Saket : located on the edge of a canal, the temple nicknamed “golden mountain” is celebrating for Loy Krathong.
- Phra Athit Pier and Santi Chai Prakan Park : one of the public boat docks running on the Chao Phraya, not far from the small public park next to Phra Sumen Fort, all just a stone's throw from Rambuttri Street and Khao San.
- Tha Maharaj : another quay, located close to the Grand Palais and next to a small group of shops including restaurants, cafes and boutiques.
City parks, most of the city parks have ponds, they are also used during festivities, you can go here:
- Lumpini Park (MRT Lumpini or BTS Silom station)
- Benjasiri Park (Phrom Phong BTS station)
- Benjakiti Park (Asoke BTS station)
- Chatuchak Park (MRT Chatuchak Park or BTS Mo Chit station)
It should also be noted that most of the temples on the banks of the Chao Phraya (such as Wat Arun, indicated above) have facilities to welcome the population and participate in the festivities.
Ayutthaya: Loy Krathong Celebrations
The special feature of Ayutthaya for Loy Krathong is this traditional procession of beauty queens representing the 4 neighboring regions (Ang Thong, Pathum Thani, Saraburi and Lopburi). You will also be treated to decorations and lighting of lanterns, cultural shows with popular music in the background, singing competitions.
The main spots are at the Chan Kasem National Museum, in front of the Queens Si Suriyothai Memorial and at the Thung Huntra Memorial Hall.
Other options: at the foot of Wat Tha Ka Rong. In the province, but outside the city, south of the Bang Pa In Summer Palace, you will also have a good choice of entertainment near the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre.
Emphasizing the city's glorious past, visitors are invited to wear traditional costumes, taking you back in time for an evening.
Chiang Mai: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival – the lantern festival
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are originally 2 very distinct holidays. One being national and the other a Lanna (northern Thai) tradition. Yi meaning "two" and Peng, a "full moon day". Yi Peng therefore designates the full moon day for the second month according to the Lanna lunar calendar, which corresponds to the twelfth month according to the Thai lunar calendar.
In short, the dates coinciding, the festivals are now celebrated at the same time and give a special dimension to this tradition. Because in addition to the floating version, Yi Peng Festival originally consisted of launch lanterns into the sky, as part of a festival based on Buddhist Punya (literally: “doing good deeds”).
It is also "because" of this Yi Peng festival that the uninitiated think that this release of lanterns is specific to Loy krathong and the whole country when originally it was not at all.
This makes the light festival particularly interesting to attend in Chiang Mai!
In addition to the activities, entertainment and markets linked to the festivities, which are particularly long in Chiang Mai, as Loy Krathong tends to occupy the city for a good week, you will find rows of candles, giving full meaning to the nickname "festival of lights". You should find some on the square of the three kings but also distributed around the ramparts of the old city.
One of the most photogenic spots is at Wat Phantao, which is next to Wat Chedi Luang, one of the main old temples in the city. You will see a bodhi tree, under which rests a statue of Buddha in a meditating position, the whole is bordered by a basin filled with water.
[Since 2020 unfortunately, the pool has been removed...]
The most impressive and appreciated remains without a doubt the releasing thousands of lanternswhich illuminates the sky like so many new little stars. Unfortunately, things are changing, and it's no longer possible to see and participate in the lantern release in the city center itself, due to safety concerns related to the proximity of the airport. The photos below were an exception, as it was the first possible release after the Covid pandemic.
To participate for free (some independently organized events are paid), there are several spots, including at Doi Saket Lakes (location on google maps)
Finally Northern Thailand oblige, you will see shows there in Lanna tradition, including the costume parade, but also floating lantern competitions (krathongs), demonstrations on how to make a krathong or a lantern for Yi Peng.
You will find most of the activities:
- around the Three Kings Monument in the heart of the old town (central square),
- in front of Tha Phae Gate Square
- Wat Lok Moli and other major temples of the city (the latter being to the north outside the central square)
- along the river, between Nakhon Ping Bridge, near the Wararot market and Narawat Bridge
The new trendy spot recently is the "Khlong Mae Kha" canal, located in the south-eastern corner of the city (outside the central square, see here on Google Maps). Redeveloped with pedestrian platforms, small bridges, it is cute as anything and actually a good place to celebrate Loy krathong.
The famous mass lantern release, against a backdrop of fireworks where everything seems grandiose, is now a separate, private event.
You have to pay for a place (from 4 baht, or more than €800 minimum!) and take a transport, organized by the organization (CAD Khom Loy) from Chiang Mai to get there (it takes place at the foot of the mountains 130 hour east of Chiang Mai). As it is a very popular event despite its price, some criticize a somewhat chaotic organization.
The ticket includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and the possibility of attending all activities around this festival.
- For more information, go to the official website.
Sukhothai: Loy Krathong and Candle Festival – a must!
Called the “Candle and Loy Krathong Festival,” what better way to celebrate this event than to go to its place of origin! You can also take advantage of this stage to visit the monuments listed in the Unesco World Heritage from the old Sukhothai Historical Site.
The festivities include a merit ceremony in the morning, a beauty contest to elect Miss “Nang Nopphamat”, a sound and light show, accompanied by a show highlighting the historic site with parades of lights and fireworks.
You can attend the gala dinner or prefer the market showcasing the old-fashioned style (Talat Laek Bia). Not forgetting of course the krathong launching ceremony, preceded by a competition for the most beautiful krathongs.
The advantage of being in Sukhothai is being on the historical site with the ruins of the temples that will shine brightly and be used as backdrops for the traditional dances, making it a very impressive place to enjoy the festival.
Small downside however, the great show which takes place every evening at 19:30 p.m. is not free, between 600 and 1 baht (200 to 18 €) per place depending on the location.
Tak: Loy Krathong Sai Festival and 1 floating lanterns
The specialty in Tak is the creation of a serpentine, composed of krathongs including thousands of boats (up to 8 of them!), made from coconuts.
With each one their own candle, it is an impressive sight to see thousands of sparkles and their reflection in the water. They pass under the crowded city bridge, the luminous hulls seeming to dance on the current of the river as they drift downstream.
In front of the Hall of Fame building, there will be a handicraft competition and you can buy One Tumbon One Product products (the OTOP program, set up 10 years ago to promote handicrafts and specialties from each region in Thailand).
And of course, there will also be its share of traditional shows.
The ideal spot in Tak : most of the action takes place near the Rattanakosin 200 years Bridge, a small pedestrian and motorbike bridge crossing the Ping River.
Samut Songkram: Loy Krathong
The coastal town on the estuary of the Mae Klong River, which flows into the Gulf of Thailand, will attract crowds, with an estimated 100 krathongs floating under the full moon sky! Among the entertainment, traditional Thai music, the election of the beauty queen, and a krathong-making competition.
You will also have the opportunity to offer food to Buddhist monks along the river. The spot to remember: at King Rama II Memorial Park, right next to the Amphawa floating market.
