What Is Loy Krathong?
Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง) is one of Thailand's most beautiful festivals — a single night when millions of candle-lit krathongs (small floating offerings) drift across rivers, lakes, and ponds nationwide. "Loy" means "to float" and "krathong" refers to the small leaf-and-flower vessels that carry the candle, incense, and small symbolic offerings.
It falls on the full moon of the 12th lunar month — usually mid-to-late November. In 2026, Loy Krathong is November 24. The festival lasts one night (the moon must be full and reflected in the water), though Bangkok's major venues often spread events across 2-3 days.
The atmosphere is the polar opposite of Songkran — peaceful, reflective, romantic. Couples float krathongs together (Thai folklore says if your krathong drifts away with the candle still lit, your relationship is blessed). Families dress in traditional Thai clothing. Floating fireworks reflect on the water. Live music plays on riverbank stages.
Best Spots in Bangkok
Asiatique The Riverfront: The riverside night market becomes a Loy Krathong hub with floating areas, traditional dance performances, food stalls, and the giant Ferris wheel for views over the Chao Phraya. Take the free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier. Crowded but very photogenic.
ICONSIAM: The luxury riverfront mall hosts elaborate Loy Krathong events with cultural performances, krathong-making classes, light shows, and a designated floating area. Higher-end vibe, easier crowds. Free entry, but krathongs sold inside cost ฿100-300.
Lumphini Park: Bangkok's Central Park has a large lake that fills with thousands of krathongs. Free, less touristy, more local Thai families. Bring your own krathong from outside (vendors set up at all park entrances). The park stays open later than usual on Loy Krathong night.
Wat Arun area / Tha Tien Pier: For the most atmospheric experience, take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien (Wat Pho) to Wat Arun and float your krathong with the temple's spires lit dramatically behind you. Less crowded than Asiatique.
Benjasiri Park (Sukhumvit Soi 24): A small park with a pond, popular with Sukhumvit residents. Quiet, walkable from Phrom Phong BTS. Local families and a smaller scale.
River cruises: Many Chao Phraya dinner cruise operators run special Loy Krathong dinner cruises (฿1,500-3,500/person) where you float your krathong from the boat. Book 2-3 weeks ahead — they sell out.
Chulalongkorn University area / Saen Saep canal: Local Thais without river access float krathongs in the canals threading through Bangkok. Casual and authentic.
Where to Buy Krathongs
Riverside vendors: Set up at every major floating spot from late afternoon. Prices ฿50-200 depending on size and decoration. Hand-made banana leaf krathongs are traditional — pyramid-shaped folded leaves with a candle, three incense sticks, and marigold/orchid flowers. Some include a coin (small offering to the river spirit) and a hair or fingernail clipping (symbolic shedding of bad luck).
Markets: Pak Khlong Talat (the flower market) sells krathongs at wholesale prices ฿30-100 in the morning of the festival. Or Or Tor Kor Market and Khlong Toei Market also stock them.
Make your own: Some venues (ICONSIAM, hotels, temples) offer krathong-making classes for ฿200-500 — you assemble banana leaves, fold the base, arrange flowers, and add the candle. Fun for kids and a more meaningful experience.
Eco-friendly options: Many vendors now sell bread-based krathongs that fish can eat after the festival ends. Foam (styrofoam) krathongs are banned in most official venues — using one risks fines and disapproval. Banana leaf is biodegradable and traditional.
Sky Lanterns: A Chiang Mai Thing
The Instagram-famous floating lanterns released in mass quantities are part of Yi Peng — a Lanna (northern Thai) festival concurrent with Loy Krathong. This happens in Chiang Mai, not Bangkok. Bangkok's dense urban airspace, suburban airports (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi), and fire risk make sky lanterns largely banned in the city.
Some Bangkok venues do limited, controlled lantern releases — usually riverside hotels or specific licensed events. Don't bring or release your own; you'll get fined and could face criminal charges if a lantern damages property or aircraft.
If sky lanterns are a must-do, plan a Chiang Mai trip for Yi Peng — the mass releases there are legitimately spectacular. Bangkok offers the water experience instead.
Cultural Meaning
Loy Krathong honors the water goddess (Phra Mae Khongkha) and asks forgiveness for using and polluting rivers throughout the year. The candle's flame represents the Buddha's teachings illuminating the world. The act of letting go of the krathong symbolizes letting go of bad luck, anger, and negative emotions from the past year.
Couples float krathongs together as a relationship blessing. Single people sometimes whisper a wish for love before floating. Small money offerings inside the krathong are traditional — the river-cleaning crews who collect krathongs the next morning keep these as a kind of folk tax.
The festival also has roots in agricultural cycles — November marks the end of rainy season and the start of cool, dry weather, so it's also a thanksgiving for the year's rain.
Practical Tips
Arrive early: Riverside spots fill up by 6pm. The "best" floating window is 7-9pm when the moon rises and the river fills with thousands of points of candle light. Prime spots at Asiatique and ICONSIAM get crowded.
Dress nicely: Many Thais wear traditional Thai dress (shirt with pha sin or chong kraben) or modest clean clothing. It's a respectful festival, not a beach party. Decent dress code at higher-end venues.
Photography: A long exposure on a phone or camera captures floating candles beautifully. Bring a small tripod or rest your phone on a railing. Most venues have designated photo spots.
Weather: Late November in Bangkok is the start of cool season — pleasant 24-30°C evenings. Light rain possible. Mosquitoes near water — bring repellent.
Hotels: Riverside hotels (Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, Anantara Riverside, ICONSIAM's Capella) host beautiful private Loy Krathong events for guests with floating ceremonies, traditional dance, and dinner. Book months ahead for the festival weekend.
Loy Krathong is Bangkok's most romantic and visually stunning festival — gentle, reflective, and welcoming to visitors. If you can time a Bangkok trip for late November, prioritize this night.