Loy Krathong is an enchanting Thai festival celebrated on the full moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar year. This coincides with November in our modern calendars, though the exact date varies every year. During this festival, people release floating baskets and lanterns, sharing a moment of serenity and goodwill as their offerings float down the rivers, canals, or other water bodies.
What is Loy Krathong?
The festival Loy Krathong means “float a basket.” Loy means to “float,” while Krathong usually means a floating religious offering. This tradition goes back centuries to the ancient Sukhothai period when krathongs made from banana trunks and decorated with flowers were floated down the river.
Thai people have been an agricultural society, so water is central to their way of life. Besides providing food, rivers and canals also allow the transportation of goods. That’s why the Loy Krathong is traditionally done to honor the water goddess and celebrate the end of the monsoon season.
While the festival still has a religious meaning for many Thai people, it also has a modern outlook. People seek to let go of the past year’s misfortune and pay for good luck and fortune for the coming year. People have also adopted khom loi, floating lanterns released into the sky, creating a sea of twinkling lights above.
How is Loy Krathong celebrated?
Across Thailand, people of all ages gather near water bodies to participate in the festivities. In Bangkok, you can join them at the banks of the Chao Praya River and release your krathong there. Iconic places like Asiatique and the Riverfront also hold vibrant celebrations with live music, cultural performances, and boat cruises to give tourists an authentic experience.
Loy Krathong is celebrated all over Thailand, but the northern city of Chiang Mai is renowned for its celebrations. In Chiang Mai, the Loy Krathong often coincides with the Yi Peng festival, and instead of floating your lanterns down the river, you release them into the sky. The northern sky is usually dotted with thousands of floating candles, creating a surreal, magical experience. It also features music, parades, and fireworks, adding a festive flair to the beauty of the sky.
You can also travel to Sukhothai, the birthplace of Loy Krathong, to learn more about its origins. They usually hold a 10-day festival with a street parade and a Thai beauty pageant.
Embracing eco-friendly celebrations
Recently, there have been growing environmental concerns surrounding some vendors’ use of non-biodegradable materials for krathongs and lanterns. Therefore, make a conscious effort to support the sustainable celebration of Loy Krathong.
Some vendors have been selling krathongs made of styrofoam or plastic, which pollute waterways. Avoiding those is recommended. You may also be told that bread krathongs are environmentally friendly because they double as food for fish, but avoid them, too. In recent years, fish have died from consuming too much bread, causing further harm to the ecosystem.
Go for traditional krathongs made from banana stalks, bamboo, and flowers. Other eco-friendly materials that you can use include watermelon or cantaloupe rind, coconut husk, and even ice, which melts as it sails away. Also, if you are in Chiang Mai, where they float lanterns in the sky, ensure you are in a designated zone to avoid causing fires to the surrounding buildings and fields.
A celebration of renewal and reflection
Loy Krathong is a unique celebration where visitors and locals can celebrate the past, let go of present burdens, and pray for a better future. Even if you miss the main event, Thailand offers many destinations and ways to celebrate, including bustling night markets, delicious local cuisine, ancient ruins, serene temples, and more.
Whether you’re releasing a krathong during the Thai festival or simply enjoying the rich traditions of Thailand, Loy Krathong serves as a gentle reminder of renewal, gratitude, and the interconnectedness of people and nature.
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