Places to Celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand

Celebrations in Bangkok

Loy Krathong is a major event in Bangkok, involving ceremonies at Wat Arun, Wat Po, Wat Prayoon and Wat Kalayanamitra, and cultural events along the riverside.

The Chao Phraya River is the top venue where fireworks light up the night sky while tiny candlelit vessels and brightly lit boats with technicolour lights sail up and down the waterway.

To enjoy these sights and sounds, it is best to stay at one of the riverside hotels, dine at a riverfront restaurant or venture on a river cruise. 

Celebrations are a little less touristy along the downtown canals or klongs such as the Saen Saeb kong where you can float your krathong in a less crowded waterway. Commuter boat traffic is stopped on Loy Krathong night in favour of the annual festival.

Others include public parks with ponds or lakes (Lumpini, Benjakiti, Benjasiri, King Rama IX), riverside malls (Asiatique, Tha Maharaj) and temples (Wat Arun, Wat Yannawa, Wat Saket). 

Celebrations in Chiang Mai

The International Cultural Lantern Festival will be staged at Malin Park in Chiang Mai from 11-12 November 2019 where sky lanterns are released to coincide with the celebration of Yi Peng.

This festival which coincides with Loy Krathong is commemorated in northern Thai Lanna culture, where Chiang Mai served as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. The hot air lanterns are a spectacular sight when they fill the night sky.

Most of the activity takes place at the Ping River and at bridges, while a beautiful parade captivates onlookers along Thapae Road.

Celebrations in Sukhothai

As the birthplace of Loy Krathong, the festival is celebrated for 10 days here. In addition to magical floating lights, there are folk music and dance performances known as ram wong, beauty contests, krathong-making competitions, parades, and light and sound shows at Wat Mahathat. 

Nearly all the festivities are held at the Sukhothai Historical Park (the old city), a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Yom River.

Celebrations in Ratchaburi

Traditions and activities that are unique to the Mon people are celebrated along the Mae Klong River. There will be an Eight Ethnics Parade showcasing the costumes and cultures of the local ethnic groups.

Krathong cups made from eco-friendly coloured paper can be spotted along the river. Religious ceremonies paying respect to the Lord Buddha will also be held and festive activities happen along the Mae Klong River and Ratphracha Pattana Dam.

Celebrations in Tak

Famous for its Loi Krathong Sai or the floating of a line of krathongs made from coconut shells, a local tradition that has been passed through the ages.

Catch it by the banks of the Ping River at the foot of the Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi Bridge where a thousand lighted coconut shell cups are left adrift. A parade will also be held from the Shrine of King Taksin the Great to the main venue at the town centre.

Celebrations in Phuket

Krathongs are set afloat with the outflowing tide by the beaches island-wide. Other places to celebrate the festivities include the Sapan Hin Park, Suan Luang Park, Nai Harn Lake and Karon Lake. A parade starts at Sanam Chai Park in Phuket town and continues around the island ending at Saphan Hin. 

Text by Angela Goh