Loy Krathong, Thailand's Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights or Loy Krathong is one of the most beautiful Buddhist festivals celebrated every year in Thailand.

An event not to be missed if you're lucky enough to be in the country.

Date of Loy Krathong 2025

Krathong launching.

It takes place on the full moon of the 12ᵉ month of the Thai lunar calendar.

As the festival attracts many tourists, it has become a multi-day celebration with different dates in different cities.

The next Loy Krathong will take place on 5 November 2025, but festivals are organised over several days, depending on the location.

See : All you need to know about the Loy Krathong 2024 festival in Thailand

Description

Krathong.

This tradition began in Sukhothai, but is now celebrated throughout the country.

" Loy "(pronounced "loille") means "to float" and the Krathong is a small raft about 20 cm in diameter.

The Krathong is generally made up of a sliced banana trunk elaborately decorated with banana leaves, flowers, candles and three incense sticks.

We also put our nails or hair and all our problems, grudges and bad memories into the Krathong, so that we can forgive, free ourselves and then be lighter to move forward!

Some also add a coin to the raft, hoping for good fortune in return.

The Krathong is often shaped like a lotus in flower, but it can also take the form of a swan or a stupa.

The festival of lights is also the occasion for a competition for the most beautiful boat.

During the night of the full moon, many Krathongs are released from the banks of a river, canal, lake or pond.

Governments, companies and other organisations make larger and more elaborate ones and these are often judged in competitions.

In addition to this, there are the releases of Thai lanternsfireworks and beauty contest.

Origins and symbols of Loy Krathong

Loy Kratong in Bangkok.

The festival of lights has its origins in India, deriving from the Hindu festival of Divālīduring which the Goddess of the Ganges is thanked with floating lanterns for giving life throughout the year.

According to the writings of King Rama IV in 1863, the originally Brahmanic festivity was adapted by the Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony in honour of the Buddha.

As well as symbolising Thai veneration for Buddha through the use of light (the candle on the raft), the release of Krathong also symbolises the letting go of grudges, anger and defilement in order to make a fresh start.

In the same way, participants cut their nails and hair, which symbolise the bad aspects of themselves, and place them on the rafts.

Many Thais believe that floating a Krathong will bring them good luck, and they do it to honour and give thanks. Phra Mae Khongkhathe Thai equivalent of the Hindu goddess of water.

Thai origin of the festival of lights

Lantern release.

According to the most commonly accepted legend, there was in the Kingdom of Sukhothai (c.1220-1350), at the court of the King Pra-Ruang (also known as Lithai), a Brahmin priest who had an extremely beautiful daughter named Naang Noppamart.

She was very intelligent and artistically gifted, making it possible for her to make beautiful garlands of flowers.

Her beauty and talents attracted the attention of the king and at the age of 17 she was admitted as a royal concubine.

At that time, the Hindus celebrated a festival during the 12ᵉ lunar month in which they worshipped their three main gods (Brahmâ, Shiva and Vishnu) with lanterns mounted on long poles and by releasing lanterns into the sacred river Ganges to pay homage to the goddess Gangâ, "Mother of Waters".

With the expansion of Hinduism in South-East Asia, these traditions reached the Khmer Empire, then Thailand, first the Mon kingdom of Haripunchai, then those of Lanna and Sukhothai.

King Pra-Ruang wanted to create a Thai version of this Hindu festival and organised a "Floating Lantern" competition on the night of the 12ᵉ full moon.

Naang Noppamart used his talents to build a magnificent boat, using a banana trunk as a float and banana leaves to decorate it in the shape of lotus leaves.

His creation won the competition and the king decreed that from now on, this Krathong, originally called Khamot, would serve as a model for the new Festival of Lights or Loy Krathong.

Naang Noppamart became the king's favourite and led a happy life.

To his credit is Tumrub Thao Srichulaluck, an autobiographical account of the history and conduct of the ceremony of the 12ᵉ lunar month, or Loy Krathong.

Legend or reality?

Loy Krathong beauty contest.

Who knows, however, the story of Naang Noppamart adds a touch of charm to the Loy Krathong festivities and to this day the winner of the Light Festival beauty contest is given the title of "Queen Naang Noppamart".

The Yi Peng Festival

Celebration of the Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai. Photo: TAT News.

Yi Peng (sometimes spelt Yee Peng), known as the Sky Lantern Festival, is a Lanna festival unique to northern Thailand.

Lanna (Thai: ล้านนา or อาณาจักรล้านนา, kingdom of a million rice paddies) is an ancient Asian kingdom centred on Chiang Mai.

It was made up of more or less autonomous city-states (in addition to Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Nan and Phrae).

It features countless lanterns twinkling in the sky.

The date of the Yi Peng festival follows the Lanna lunar calendar, coinciding with the full moon of the second month.

In the Gregorian calendar, it generally falls in November, often close to or at the same time as Loy Krathong.

This year's Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai is scheduled for 5 to 6 November 2025.

Environmental problem

A municipal employee collects Krathongs from the Chao Phraya River after the Loy Krathong festival. Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Many Thais now reject the use of polystyrene and other non-biodegradable materials in the manufacture of krathongs, which risk polluting marine ecosystems.

Festival-goers called for a return to natural materials, such as banana leaves, banana trunks and coconut shells.

But some people use lots of metal needles to hold these natural and decomposable elements, which isn't very safe!

The festival's popularity has led to rivers and canals becoming clogged with Krathongs.

Some Thais have chosen to float a single Krathong for the whole family, observe the tradition at home or use a Loy Krathong app to pay their respects online, eliminating all the waste.

Others used bread Krathongs, thinking they were more environmentally friendly and would feed the fish.

Unfortunately this killed many fish.

See : Eco-friendly Krathongs cause a fish hecatomb in Thailand

Where to celebrate Loy Krathong 2025

Krathong and fireworks.

Loy Krathong is celebrated all over Thailand, so you can go to any of the country's waterways to enjoy the festival.

Thais eager to float their Krathong and pay homage to the water goddess will gather around almost every river, canal, pond, lake and other body of water.

However, if you want an extra magical experience, the following cities are the busiest during the Loy Krathong festivals:

1. Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the best place to go for a truly mesmerising Loy Krathong festival experience.

As well as Loy Krathong, the city also hosts the Yi Peng Festival from 5 to 6 November.

The Yi Peng Festival, also known as the Thailand Sky Lantern Festival, is unique in northern Thailand.

So you won't be able to experience the fusion of Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals elsewhere in the country.

As well as releasing Krathong illuminated by candles on the water, people light and fly lanterns in the night sky.

You can witness an enchanting scene that seems to come out of a fairy tale.

An elaborate annual parade is usually held during Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai.

One of the best places to celebrate Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in Chiang Mai is on the banks of the Ping River.

If you want the best view, you can watch the celebrations from the Iron Bridge and Nawarat Bridge.

Tha Pae gate is also a great place to watch the festivals as the opening ceremony, the start of the parade and the beauty contest all take place here.

You can also go to the Three Kings Monument if you want to see the traditional Lanna dance performance and the opening ceremony of the flash candle plateau.

If you want to watch the festival from a temple, you can go to Wat Phan Thao.

2. Sukhothai

Birthplace of Loy Krathong, Sukhothai is an incredible place to experience the festival.

This ancient city offers the most authentic Loy Krathong experience, making it the perfect place to visit if you want to learn more about the legends and history of this joyous festival.

Most of the festival's events take place in Sukhothai's historic park.

You will be able to admire the magnificent floating Krathong while being surrounded by magnificent ancient monuments.

The people of Sukhothai celebrate Loy Krathong for 5 days.

In addition to the massive Krathong release, the festival usually features parades, light and sound shows, folk music performances and a beauty contest.

3. Bangkok

Bangkok is another great place to experience Loy Krathong.

The city is usually full of places and activities related to the festival.

Even the city's hotels hold a Loy Krathong event in their swimming pools.

In Bangkok, the festivities usually take place along the Chao Phraya River.

The best places to visit to enjoy Loy Krathong by the river are Asiatique, Phra Athit Pier, Wat Saket and Maharaj Lifestyle Mall.

The Asian night market by the river is particularly popular.

It's a great place if you want to experience the festival like a local.

You'll find some of the most incredible shows and one of the biggest crowds in Bangkok.

The main event usually includes the telling of the story of Loy Krathong through dance and music, as well as an illuminated procession of Krathong releases.

In addition to the Asian and sites along the Chao Phraya River, many of the city's ponds and waterways also become a focal point for people to gather and launch their Krathong.

Some of the most popular parks to experience Loy Krathong are Benjasiri Park, Benjakitti Park and Lumpini Park.

You can also visit the city's temples, such as the Wat Pho and the Wat Arunto enjoy the festival.

4. Phuket

Loy Krathong in Phuket is much more relaxed than Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Sukhothai.

This is the ideal place if you want to experience the festival without the crowds.

You can usually join in the celebrations on all the island's waterways and beaches.

Some of the most popular beaches for festivals are Nai Harn Beach and Patong Beach.

For a more local experience, Kata and Karon beaches, Suan Luang Park and Saphan Hin Park are excellent places to visit.

Video of a lantern release during Loy Krathong

You can follow Thailand's festivals month by month in our diary: Festivals in Thailand.

Or get an overview of the important days of this year:

Public holidays 2025 in Thailand.

Source: wikipedia.org, tatnews.org, The Thaiger