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Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is a traditional Thai festival celebrated annually and known as the ‘festival of lights’.

The festival date is marked by the full moon’s appearance, which means that the times vary every year. However, as a general guide, Loy Krathong is held in November.

Loy Krathong Festival of Lights 2024 Lantern Dates, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The event’s name can be translated to mean ‘float a basket’, derived from an age-old practice of creating decorative baskets that are released and remain afloat on the river. These specially designed baskets are known as krathongs, hence the festival’s name.

Traditionally, krathongs were designed from banana trunk pieces to ensure buoyancy. Modern krathongs, however, are made from either bread or modified plastic (although the latter is discouraged due to water and environmental pollution). The event’s highlight is the inclusion of candles in the krathongs so that the floating baskets create a fantastic array of lights that give Loy Krathong the name ‘festival of lights’.

Locals and visitors alike are enthralled by the sheer delight of setting the baskets afloat, which is done as you make a wish. Some individuals toss a coin to appease the river spirits and bring good luck their way. Watching the krathongs float away is an exciting experience, especially for first-time visitors. The sight of thousands of lights drifting away and the gentle breeze causing the flames to flicker in the calm of the night is a breathtaking experience.

To best enjoy Chiang Mai Loy Krathong, head anywhere along the moat where people are letting off lanterns. The biggest crowds gather along Tha Phae Road on the night of the full moon, with the biggest crows along the Ping River between Nawarat Bridge and Iron Bridge. Make sure to buy your lantern in advance, as they sell out. You may be hard-pressed to find a vendor selling them on the street. If you find lanterns for sale on the evening of Loy Krathong, they may be at wildly inflated prices, so it is best to purchase them in advance.

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    • Hi Justyna,

      Unfortunately, information is pretty scarce regarding Chiang Mai events, with not many events having websites or Facebook pages to source information on.

      From what i can find from other sources, the only event i can see that has been cancelled is the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival. It has also been stated that sky lanterns are prohibited this year (but i am assuming that’s around the city area).

      Odds are there will be events around the Ping River, but most information i can find still have 3 of the 4 mass release events marked as TBC and the only event i can see that is selling tickets is found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/magical-lanterns-festival-loy-krathong-chiang-mai-thailand-yee-peng-tickets-127004025459, but that looks to be held down in Lamphun, and there isn’t any information on what you get with each ticket or how you get there.

      I will seek to add any more information to our page before the events.

      Thanks
      Michael

  • I have seen suggestions that there is a parade for the opening of the festivals. But, I cannot find a date and location for the parade. Can you help? Also, I have seen the dates 20th thru 25th, but some sites suggest other dates. This is all very confusing for travelers. Where can I find an actual schedule of events? Even the Board of Tourism does not have answers!

    • Hi Jane,

      As most of the local information is usually in thai and not usually up to date, what i have done is compile information below from a number of other websites so hopefully that will form a consensus of what is actually correct.

      https://www.chiangmai-alacarte.com/blog/chiang-mai-loy-krathong-festival/ mentions that “On all three days, there are parades that pass through Thapae Road” and “on the evening of the first day, there is a stunning lantern parade”.

      https://seetefl.com/loy-krathong-yee-peng-chiang-mai/ states “It usually leaves Tha Pae Gate for the Night Market early on the evening of the first day of the festival”

      https://www.thelongestwayhome.com/travel-guides/thailand/chiang-mai/loi-krathong-in-chiang-mai.html says “Day three of Loi Krathong is a rather subdued. The highlight is an early evening (18.00 approx) parade from Thapae Gate to the Office of Chiang Mai Municipality. Everyone can view this parade by lining up along the main road and watch highly decorative floats as they pass by. There is a Grand Krathong procession and contest from 6pm – 12am from Thapae Gate to the Office of Chiang Mai Municipality

      So based on these websites, i would say that the location for pretty much all parades will be along Tha Phae Rd (likely starting from Tha Phae Gate, as this is usually where a lot of events are held and grandstands setup).

      Sorry i couldn’t give you an exact answer; as with a lot of things in Chiang Mai and being a foreigner, everything is a little unorganised and most information is hearsay from other sources.

      Thanks
      Michael

  • Hello, There is a photo here of the lanterns reflecting on the water I have looked at several mas but I do not see a river close to Mae University. Where was this photo taken? Than you for your continued help. Jane Shedron

    • Hi Jane,

      The photo of lanterns floating on the water also appears to have been taken at Wat Phan Tao (a lot of these stock images were sourced from Shutterstock). If you look at the page here, you can see what the temple and the water area looks like during the day.

      Having lived in Chiang Mai and been to Loy Krathong myself, a lot of the festivities take place around the Ping River – both north and south of the Nawarat Bridge.

      Thanks,
      Michael

  • Hi,
    I’m plan to visit Chiang Mai at Loy Krathong Fesstival 2018.
    So could you tell me the exactly day that Loy Krathong Fesstival is taked place?
    As I know, the main day of festival is November 23rd, 2018. Is that true?
    I’m just have book my flight from 17 to 23. So are there any activities are taked place at 22 November?
    I’m very looking forward to hearing you!
    Thank you so much!!!
    P/s: Sorry because of my bad english

    • Hi Tyra,

      I have looked at many websites online and the general consensus is that Loy Krathong (the releasing of the lotus shaped rafts onto water) is on Novemeber 22, while the Yi Peng Lantern Festival is on November 23.

      I have however, seen that there are private events on the 22nd in Doi Saket, so there might be an opportunity to see a lantern release if you want to pay (tickets range between 3000-4000thb and include bus transfers, 1 lantern, 1 krathong and souvenir).

      I would still keep an eye out for any updates, as the dates for the public events are yet to be confirmed 100%, and may be subject to change.

      Hope this helps.
      Michael

  • I see photos of monks along the moat with lanterns around them. They are on the opposite side of the moat from the people. It looks like it is by a temple. Where is this? Please, if someone knows of this area, please let me know where it is. The photos are on this web page.

        • Hi India,

          You will need to purchase a lantern from one of the street vendors, but then yes, there is no cost to ‘take part’.

          You can release the lantern at Tha Phae Gate or anywhere along the moat. There will literally be thousands of people doing the same thing, so follow their lead and have a great time!

          Jess

  • Hi, Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai this year is 21 to 23 november or 22 to 24? Is there an official calendar yet? What’s the best day to be there? I also like to go to Sukhotay, which day do they have Loy Krathong? Thank you, Best Regards

    • HI Davide,

      Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. So, the exact date of the festival changes every year. In 2018, it will be on the 23rd of November 2018.

      Best regards,
      Jess

  • Are there any tickets that I have to book for this event? I can’t seem to find any places to buy a tour guide or anything. Do we have pay for a tour or do we just arrive at the area?

    • Hi Dev,

      Loy Krathong is not an event that you need to book for/require a guide. Simply purchase a lantern from a street vendor and head to Tha Phae Gate or the moat. Those taking part will fill the streets in their thousands, so just get out amongst it!

      Best regards,
      Jess

    • Hi Jenni,

      Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. So, the exact date of the festival changes every year. In 2018, it will most likely be on the 23rd of November.

      Best regards,
      Jess

      • Hi. I would like to know is it Nov 23 or 28? In the comments section, it says Nov 23 while in the text above, it says Nov 28. Also, what location is the best location to get where most spots are also walking distance? Thank you

        • Hi Karen,

          The main celebrations for Loy Krathong have now been confirmed for Friday 23 November 2018, with celebrations from Thursday, 22 November to Saturday, 24 November, 2018.

          Best to head to Tha Phae Gate or anywhere along the moat.

          Regards,
          Jess

        • Hi, will the release of the lanterns in the sky only be done on nov. 23rd? Or will it also be done on each day from nov. 22nd-25th?

        • Hi Roma,

          The main day for lanterns is 23 November. So I hope you can make it for that date as Loy Krathong is a spectacular cultural event not to be missed!

          Best regards,
          Jess

        • Good day,

          I just want to know when is the actual release of lantern? Thank you

        • Hi Dennis,

          Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. So, the exact date of the festival changes every year. In 2018, the lantern release should be on the 23rd of November 2018.

          Best regards,
          Jess

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Locations around the city including: - The Banks of the Ping River - Tha Phae Gate - Three Kings Monument - Temples: Wat Phan Tao and Wat Lok Moli - Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, Chang Moi, Chiang Mai

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