Celebrate Loy Krathong 2019 with 10 Events Around Thailand

Let’s start with an exclusive Loy Krathong experience by the Chao Phraya River at Royal Orchid Sheraton. You’ll be whisked away by the charms of Lanna Loy Krathong while enjoying a wide array of exquisite meals.

Dine under the full moon glow and see a variety of performances; Thai Puppetry, Thai Puppet-style Classical Dance, and Nang Noppamas Contest, for instance. The night will be concluded with a spectacular fireworks display, and the riverside hotel is the perfect vantage point to see the dazzling lights up close.

As for dinner, Royal Orchid Sheraton offers quite the option:

Enjoy a lavish “Gala Dinner Buffet” at Giorgio - fresh, top-quality seafood, like New Zealand mussels, tiger prawns, crabs, and more, for 3,700++ THB per person.

For something more traditional Thai, there’s the “Royal Thai Set Dinner” at Thara Thong. You can get an authentic taste along with a show of classical Thai dance for 3,000++ THB per person.

Last but not least is “BBQ Dinner Buffet” at the Riverside Terrace, where you’ll get a wide array of treats and a breezy evening by the Chao Phraya. The price is set at 2,500++ THB per person.

Families can enjoy many packages and deals; children under four years old dine free of charge! (For children between the ages of 5-12, please contact Royal Orchid Sheraton to learn more about the special prices.)

Get your exclusive dinner package now on Ticketmelon.

All prices are inclusive of one Krathong per person, which you can float in the Chao Phraya River at Royal Orchid Sheraton’s private pier.

Getting to the hotel is also super easy. For those on public transport, you can catch the Sheraton’s shuttle boat from BTS Saphan Taksin and ICONSIAM. The boat arrives at the piers every 30 minutes.

• Location:

  Royal Orchid Sheraton Soi Charoenkrung 30, Khet Bangrak.
  (Closest BTS: Saphan Taksin)

• Contact Details:

  Call 02-266-0123
  

River Festival Thailand 2019 is happening this November 9-11 under the theme “music of the river”.

The main highlight is a Loy Krathong tour of Bangkok’s ten best-known piers: Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Rakhang, Wat Kalaya, Wat Prayoon, Tha Maharaj, Yodpiman River Walk, Lhong 1919, SukSiam @ ICONSIAM, and Asiatique The Riverfront.

Immerse yourself in the culture of the age-old riverside community and appreciate the beauty of modern piers all in one event. During the evenings, you can also pray to Buddha statues and float candles to receive blessings for you and your family on this auspicious occasion.

After that, have fun exploring and shopping for each pier’s best products. There will be entertainment throughout all three nights, so expect lively tunes from new-gen bands from leading universities and famous artists. They’ll be taking turns on the stage to provide you with an evening of festive joy.

• Location:

  Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Rakhang, Wat Kalaya, Wat Prayoon, Tha Maharaj, Yodpiman River Walk, Lhong 1919, SukSiam @ ICONSIAM, and Asiatique The Riverfront.

One of Bangkok’s most established Loy Krathong events, the 2019 installment is taking place on November 9-11 at Santichaiprakarn Park.

Most activities at the festival aim to bring new life to traditional practices and keep Loy Krathong alive. Expect a showcase of Thai cultural heritage, riverside lifestyle, as well as stories from Buddhist beliefs.

There’ll be many fun workshops to join: elaborate Krathong crafting, Royal Thai menu tasting, flower garlands making, fruit carving, banana trunk carving, Khon mask crafting, as well as DIY Krathong crafting from natural materials.

Finally, the festival will conclude with amazing entertainment. Get ready for a phenomenal fountain show on the Chao Phraya, contemporary cultural performances, live music from famous artists, traditional-style fireworks, and a magnificent cultural parade.

• Location:

  Santichaiprakarn Park Phra Athit Road, Khet Phranakorn.

And now, something for the younger crowd! Loy Krathong Festival at Chulalongkorn University has been the talk of the town for many years. Other than being a well-known gathering for young stunners, the festival also boasts a local legend of its own.

Single people who go to the festival are said to find love, while couples might be moving on to a more serious stage in their relationship. It’s no wonder so many want to experience the fair for themselves (and get a boost for their love life).

For those who are going solo, this one is a real can’t-miss. We’ve got a feeling that you’ll find The One out there.

The festival is happening right next to Chulalongkorn University’s pond. This year’s theme, “Beware of the Full Moon”, is expected to be full of fun and festive spirits.

Explore booths from various faculties as well as classic fair games such as Scoop the Ball, Wishing Tree Lucky Draw, Hit the Can plus a bunch of tasty treats and snacks.

There will also be many other activities such as Krathong Contest, Krathong Parade, Nang Noppamas Contest, live music performances by the students, and of course, the Loy Krathong Ceremony.

This Loy Krathong fair’s signature is the use of Krathong Thian, or candle Krathong, which doesn’t become trash or pollute the water. Not only that you’ll be having fun, but you can do so while saving the planet as well.

• Location:

  Chulalongkorn University’s pond Phaya Thai Road, Khet Pathumwan
  (Closest MRT: Samyan)

For this event, let’s take a turn to the north. While you might be used to riverside Loy Krathong fair here in Bangkok, most northern Thais would think of Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng festival.

Once a largely local event, it is now a world-famous fair popular among both Thai and foreign tourists. The constant flow of visitors coming to join the festivities makes finding plane tickets and hotel rooms around this time nearly impossible.

Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival is happening on November 9-12, 2019, organized by Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization as well as other governmental and private parties.

The event’s concept aims to promote enjoying the Yi Peng festival and embracing Lanna heritage while keeping out explosive fireworks and alcohol.

There are many activities to look forward to: Giant Krathong Contest, ‘Light the Lanterns to Guard the City’ Ceremony, Yi Peng Colourful Lanterns Show, Yi Peng Little Boys and Girls Contest, Mister and Miss Yi Peng Contest, Handmade Krathong From Banana Leaves and Fresh Flowers Contest, Cultural Performances, Releasing Lanna-style Krathong Sai, and Fireworks Display.

With all these highlights throughout the four days, why not switch things up and enjoy Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai’s chilly weather? Grab your tickets now, and don’t forget to travel ahead of the event and double-check your flight schedule. It’s not uncommon for flights to get canceled during the time of the festival.

• Location:

  Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai.

One of the grandest and longest-held Loy Krathong events in Thailand, Sukhothai’s fair is world-famous. Other than experiencing age-old traditions and atmosphere, visitors can look forward to the spectacle of dazzling fireworks.

This year, Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival 2019 will be held throughout ten full days from November 2-11 at Sukhothai Historical Park. The location itself will be transformed entirely with lively decorations and vibrant lights; you’ll want to snap some photos to show to your friends.

To add to this spellbinding atmosphere, there are many other activities tourists can enjoy. The list includes Krathong Parade, Folk Performances, Traditional Thai Music Performance, Folk Sports, Nang Noppamas Contest, Khon Performance, Sukhothai Gala Dinner, Fireworks Display, and Talat Laek Bia (ancient market).

And you absolutely can’t miss the landmark vista point with a view of the Royal Barge Suphannahong in a candlelit procession, as well as a light & sound display that uses projection mapping to bring the ancient site to life.

Get your tickets now on ThaiTicketmajor.

• Location:

  Sukhothai Historical Park Tambon Muang Kao, Amphoe Muang, Sukhothai.

Tak’s festival is one of the longest-standing Loy Krathong events in Thailand. For 2019, it’s taking place between November 9-13 at Lan Krathong Sai by the Ping River, Somphot Krung Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi Bridge in Tak province.

The tradition brings together Buddhist teachings, folk wisdom, and cultural arts in a beautiful combination, resulting in this long-held Loy Krathong festival.

Tak’s festival is quite different from those in other provinces, too, as Kratongs here are partly made of coconut shells. They’re then floated in the Ping River, creating an iconic, almost magical, image of a candlelit trail.

Also at the event are an array of other exciting activities: Krathong Sai Kitchen, Krathong Sai Market, shopping stalls for local goods and products, Krathong Sai dinner, Phra Pratheep Parade, community Krathong Sai Parade, and many more.

• Location:

  Lan Krathong Sai by the Ping River, Somphot Krung Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi Bridge Amphoe Muang, Tak

Each region often features its own style of Krathong to set their local festivals apart. As for Ratchaburi, the province is known for its colorful ‘Krathong Si’. Although they look impressive, these simple and budget-friendly Krathongs don’t leave any footprints on the environment.

The annual festival is taking place between November 9-11 at Wat Sai Arirak, Amphoe Potharam, Ratchaburi.

The Krathongs themselves are mostly made of paper - a semi-natural material that’s easily degradable. Colorful papers are cut, folded, and pleated into petals, transforming them into beautiful Krathongs - a product of Ratchaburi natives’ folk wisdom.

At the festival, other than Krathong floating, there will be a candle-lighting ceremony around the monastery under the full moon. You can also pray to Buddhist relics and Upagupta as well as float your misfortunes away on Mon-style boats.

• Location:

  Wat Sai Arirak Amphoe Potharam, Ratchaburi.

Moving over to the Isan region, Sithan KKU Festival 2019 is taking place on November 9-11 at Bueng Sithan, Khonkaen University. The main goal of the festival is to preserve the art and culture as well as to boost the economy on both local and countrywide scale.

Other than religious ceremonies and Loy Krathong tradition, you can enjoy an array of fun activities. Examples include Creative Walking Street, Candle Krathong & Barge Parade, Thai Country Band Contest, Pong Lang Folk Music Contest, Fon Lam Khaen Contest, a rare display of Isan puppetry and Nang Pramo Thai (Isan’s version of Thai shadow puppet), and Nang Noppamas Contest.

Immerse yourself in an age-old cultural fair, full of food vendors that will offer you tasty bites throughout three nights. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to shop for whatever local goods and products that catch your eyes.

• Location:

  Bueng Sithan, Konkaen University. Tambon Nai Muang, Amphoe Muang, Khonkaen.

Last but not least is an event that’s making its debut this year - Loy Krathong through Thailand’s Five Ages. The festival is set to take place between November 2-11 at Legend Siam Pattaya, which you might recognize as the cool theme park that showcases Thai culture and lifestyle throughout the ages.

Legend Siam Pattaya often hosts a variety of special events, the upcoming festival among them. For Loy Krathong through Thailand’s Five Ages, you can expect a grand fair, as visitors are welcome to pray to ancient Buddha statues with 4,000 years of age between them.

You can also enjoy a wide range of fun features such as state-of-the-art light & sound display, Yi Peng Lanterns, Fireworks Display, Thai Classical Dance, and a chance to meet & greet with Thailand’s biggest stars.

Feast on Thai food from four regions at Legend Siam Pattaya’s buffet. Plus, if you wear a traditional Thai costume to the festival, you’ll get free admission to the theme park!

• Location:

  Legend Siam Pattaya Sukhumvit Road, Na Jomtien, Pattaya, Chonburi.