Every November, Thailand comes alive with one of its most visually arresting and meaningful celebrations: Loy Krathong. Often referred to as the Festival of Lights, this ceremony transforms tranquil waterways into thousands of softly glowing, drifting lamps. Let’s explore what makes this tradition so special—and discover just when it takes place.

Loy Krathong (translating to “float a basket”) centres on small, hand-floating offerings called krathongs, crafted from banana trunks or leaves and adorned with flowers, a candle, and three incense sticks.

Holding deep cultural significance, the festival allows participants to give thanks to Phra Mae Khongkha, the revered Water Goddess, acknowledging her role in nurturing life and forgiving those who have wronged the waterways 

It also carries a spiritual dimension tied to Buddhism. Floating a krathong symbolises letting go of grievances and misfortune; in some traditions, people place strands of hair or nail clippings onto the krathong to represent releasing past negativity 

Loy Krathong falls on the full moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, which varies each year but generally lands in November 

For example:

In Chiang Mai, Loy Krathong often aligns with Yi Peng, a northern Thai lantern festival featuring thousands of sky lanterns released into the air. The dates usually coincide—5–6 November 2025 for Yi Peng, and Loy Krathong on 6 November.

While Loy Krathong honours water with floating lights in November, Songkran, Thailand’s famous water festival, occurs in April to mark the Thai New Year through cheerful water splashing and cleansing rituals

Both festivals involve water as a symbol—though Loy Krathong is about reflection and letting go, Songkran is about renewal and playful celebration.

When the full moon rises in November, Thailand’s waterways come alive with softly glowing floats. Loy Krathong—meaning “to float a basket”—is more than a beautiful spectacle; it carries centuries of meaning, blending spirituality, gratitude, and cultural whimsy.

Loy Krathong is believed to date back roughly 800 years to the Sukhothai Kingdom, flourishing between the 13th and 14th centuries. A popular legend tells of Nang Noppamas, a royal consort credited with designing the first krathong—a lotus-shaped float adorned with intricate details—as an offering to water spirits and the Buddha.

However, historians note that Noppamas likely emerged in literature during the reign of King Rama III in the 19th century, rather than as an actual historical figure. Still, this poetic legend remains entwined with the festival's identity.

The festival intertwines Hindu and Buddhist traditions. It honours Phra Mae Khongkha, the Water Goddess, in gratitude for Thailand’s life-giving rivers, and in penance for any mistreatment or pollution of those waters. The act of setting a krathong afloat symbolises releasing grudges, regrets, and impurities—ushering in hope and renewal.

There's also a shared cultural heritage in Southeast Asia of floating offerings, dating back even earlier. Among the earliest visual traces is a carving on a 12th-century temple in Cambodia, showing figures preparing krathong-style floats.

By the Rattanakosin era, particularly under King Rama III, Loy Krathong was revived along with formal Noppamas beauty contests, where participants dress in traditional garb inspired by the legendary royal court lady.

In Northern Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai, Loy Krathong merges with the Yi Peng festival—also known as the lantern festival—resulting in both lights on water and thousands of sky lanterns (khom loi) ascending into the night.

Loy Krathong is celebrated across Thailand and neighbouring countries like Laos and parts of Myanmar, where similar customs exist. In the south of Thailand, regional twists include releasing food-laden floats to symbolically carry away misfortune, while the northeastern region honours the “Illuminated Boat Procession” in alignment with its own lunar rhythms.

Acknowledged officially as part of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage in 2011, the festival offers both personal and communal meaning—combining spiritual reflection, family unity, artisan craftsmanship, and environmental mindfulness.

Today, Loy Krathong is a living festival that bridges past and present—reviving ancient ritual through modern spectacles: rivers awash with floral lanterns, ceremonial beauty contests, classical music, and celebrations that range from quiet reflection to grand pageantry.

Its companion festival, Thailand Songkran, takes place in April and has a different mood: loud, water-throwing festivity to welcome the New Year, rather than the reflective, luminous tone of Loy Krathong

At its core, Loy Krathong is an act of reverence: towards Phra Mae Khongkha, the Water Goddess, who is honoured for her role in sustaining life and granting forgiveness for water pollution; towards Buddhist teachings that encourage purification of mind and merit-making; and in some regions, towards Hindu deities like Vishnu or ancestral spirits.

As night falls on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, Thais gather beside rivers, canals, or lakes. They light the candle and incense on their krathong, whisper a wish or an apology, then gently release it onto the water. It is believed the flickering light and drifting vessel carry away misfortunes and bring renewed hope and merit.

Regional customs vary:

Today, Loy Krathong is celebrated nationwide and is officially recognised as a part of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage since 2011.Festivities now often include beauty pageants (echoing the story of Nang Noppamas), traditional dance performances, music, fireworks, and lantern parades in towns and cities alike 

As environmental awareness grows, organizers and communities increasingly encourage using biodegradable materials and avoid non-natural embellishments like plastic or glitter. Some events are even designed as eco-friendly gatherings, with organised cleanup efforts following the celebrations.

People often hand-make krathongs at home with family or friends, using banana trunks, leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks. Some also include a coin—or even strands of hair or nail clippings—as a symbolic release of negativity.

As dusk settles, groups gather by rivers, lakes, or ponds, light the candles and incense, whisper their wishes, then gently set their krathongs adrift.

Apart from floating krathongs, Loy Krathong often features:

Traveloka simplifies booking:

Loy Krathong is one of Thailand’s most beloved celebrations—often drawing large crowds, especially in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Booking your accommodation and transport early is essential for November. Choose lightweight, breathable attire suited to November evenings—think loose linen or cotton layers. 

Many places now ban non-biodegradable designs. Look for krathongs made of banana leaves, tree trunks, spider lilies, or even bread, which dissolve naturally in water. Avoid Styrofoam or glossy materials. 

Always follow local rules—some areas forbid sky lantern releases due to fire hazards. Be cautious around large crowds and fireworks during the night, particularly in major festivities.

You can enhance the ritual by adding personal tokens like hair, nail clippings, or old clothing to your krathong—symbolising letting go of past burdens. Volunteering for a river-side cleanup (e.g. with local eco initiatives like Trash Hero) is also a thoughtful extension of the tradition. 

Bring your camera for the soft glow of candle-lit krathongs drifting in water or lanterns soaring overhead in Chiang Mai. Also consider pairing Loy Krathong with Thailand Songkran experiences (Songkran is more playful and water-splashing—a wonderful contrast to Loy Krathong’s reflective mood). 

You can make the most of Loy Krathong in Thailand by planning ahead with ease. Simply open the Traveloka App where you can book your attraction tickets, hotels, and flight tickets in one go, plus find more information to guide your trip. It’s a simple way to secure your stay, catch the best views of the lanterns, and enjoy this magical celebration without the stress of last-minute planning.