Thailand’s most enchanting festival returns in 2025, bringing millions together to celebrate gratitude, renewal, and hope. Loy Krathong transforms the country into a wonderland of floating lights and heartfelt wishes as people release beautiful handmade boats onto rivers, lakes, and canals.
Whether you’re planning to experience this magical celebration firsthand or sending money to loved ones in Thailand for the festivities, understanding Loy Krathong helps you connect with one of Southeast Asia’s most beloved traditions. This guide covers everything you need to know about the 2025 celebration, from dates and customs to the best places to join the festivities.
What Is Loy Krathong?
Loy Krathong is Thailand’s “Festival of Lights,” celebrated annually on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. The name combines two Thai words: “loy” meaning “to float” and “krathong” referring to the decorative boat-like vessels that people create and release onto water.
This ancient festival serves multiple purposes. People use it to pay respect to the water goddess Phra Mae Khongkha, release negative emotions from the past year, and make wishes for the future. Many Thais believe that floating a krathong carries away bad luck and brings good fortune.
The tradition dates back over 800 years to the Sukhothai Kingdom. According to legend, a court lady named Noppamas created the first krathong to honor the Buddha’s footprint beside the Narmada River in India.
When Is Loy Krathong 2025?
Loy Krathong 2025 falls on Wednesday, November 12th. The celebration typically begins at sunset and continues late into the evening, with the peak floating time occurring around 8-10 PM when the full moon is brightest.
The exact date changes each year because it follows the traditional lunar calendar rather than the Western calendar. In Northern Thailand, the festival coincides with Yi Peng, creating an even more spectacular display with thousands of floating lanterns illuminating the night sky.
How to Make a Traditional Krathong
Creating your own krathong is an essential part of the Loy Krathong experience. Traditional krathongs use natural materials that won’t harm the environment when they dissolve in water.
Materials Needed
- Banana leaves (for the base)
- Banana tree trunk slice (foundation)
- Incense sticks (usually 3)
- Candle (1 small white candle)
- Fresh flowers (marigolds, lotus, or roses)
- Coins (for good luck)
- Small personal item (hair, fingernail clipping, or photo)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Create the Base: Cut banana leaves into circular pieces and fold them into decorative patterns around the banana trunk slice. Secure with small wooden pins or toothpicks.
Add the Flowers: Arrange fresh flowers around the edge and center of your krathong. Marigolds and lotus flowers are traditional choices, but any beautiful blooms work well.
Place the Candle and Incense: Position the candle in the center of your krathong. Insert the three incense sticks around it, creating a triangle pattern.
Add Personal Touches: Include a small coin for good luck and something personal like a strand of hair or small photo to symbolize releasing the old year’s negativity.
Final Decoration: Ensure your krathong looks balanced and beautiful. The more care you put into creating it, the more meaningful your wishes become.
Best Places to Celebrate Loy Krathong 2025
Bangkok
Lumpini Park: The park’s lake provides a peaceful setting for floating krathongs, especially beautiful with the city skyline backdrop.
Chao Phraya River: Multiple piers along the river offer excellent access points. The area near Wat Arun provides particularly stunning views.
Benchasiri Park: Located in the Sukhumvit area, this park offers a more intimate celebration experience.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai combines Loy Krathong with Yi Peng, creating Thailand’s most spectacular festival celebration. The sight of thousands of paper lanterns rising into the night sky alongside floating krathongs is unforgettable.
Mae Ping River: The main celebration area with food stalls, cultural performances, and prime krathong floating spots.
Tha Phae Gate: The historic city center hosts parades, beauty contests, and traditional performances.
Sukhothai
As the birthplace of Loy Krathong, Sukhothai offers the most authentic celebration experience. The festival here maintains stronger connections to its historical roots.
Sukhothai Historical Park: Ancient temples and ruins create a mystical atmosphere for the celebration.
Ayutthaya
The ancient capital provides a historically rich setting for Loy Krathong celebrations, with temple ruins reflecting in the water alongside floating lights.
Cultural Significance and Traditions
Loy Krathong represents more than just a beautiful spectacle. The festival embodies several important Thai values and beliefs.
Gratitude to Water
Water plays a vital role in Thai agriculture and daily life. During Loy Krathong, people express gratitude to the water spirits for providing sustenance throughout the year.
Releasing Negativity
Many Thais include personal items in their krathongs, symbolizing the release of bad luck, negative thoughts, or difficult experiences from the past year. As the krathong floats away, these burdens drift away too.
Making Wishes
The flickering candle on each krathong carries hopes and dreams for the coming year. Popular wishes include good health, prosperity, love, and success in work or studies.
Strengthening Relationships
Couples often create and float krathongs together, believing this practice strengthens their bond. Families use the festival as an opportunity to teach children about Thai traditions and values.
Festival Activities Beyond Floating Krathongs
Beauty Pageants
Many communities hold “Nang Noppamas” beauty contests, named after the legendary court lady who created the first krathong. Contestants demonstrate traditional Thai dance, krathong-making skills, and knowledge of Thai culture.
Cultural Performances
Traditional Thai dance shows, classical music concerts, and dramatic performances take place throughout the festival period. These events showcase Thailand’s rich artistic heritage.
Food Festivals
Street food vendors and restaurants offer special Loy Krathong treats, including traditional sweets and regional specialties. The festival atmosphere makes dining outdoors particularly enjoyable.
Fireworks and Light Shows
Many locations organize spectacular fireworks displays and light shows that complement the floating candles and lanterns.
Environmental Considerations
Modern Loy Krathong celebrations increasingly emphasize environmental responsibility. Many communities now promote eco-friendly practices to protect Thailand’s waterways.
Sustainable Materials
Traditional banana leaf and flower krathongs naturally decompose, causing minimal environmental impact. Avoid krathongs made with plastic, styrofoam, or synthetic materials.
Bread-Based Krathongs
Some areas now encourage krathongs made from bread, which dissolve quickly and provide food for fish. This innovation maintains tradition while protecting aquatic ecosystems.
Clean-Up Efforts
Many communities organize volunteer clean-up activities the day after Loy Krathong to remove any remaining debris from waterways.
Supporting Loved Ones During Loy Krathong
If you have family or friends in Thailand celebrating Loy Krathong, sending money for festival preparations shows thoughtfulness and care. Many families spend extra money during this time on:
- Materials for making elaborate krathongs
- Special festival foods and treats
- Traditional clothing for family photos
- Transportation to prime celebration locations
- Donations to temples and community events
Sending funds securely and quickly ensures your loved ones can fully participate in this meaningful celebration.
Photography Tips for Loy Krathong
Capturing the magic of Loy Krathong requires some planning and technique:
Equipment: Bring a tripod for stable night shots. Wide-angle lenses work well for crowd scenes, while telephoto lenses help capture intimate moments.
Timing: Arrive early to scout locations and set up equipment before crowds gather. The golden hour just before sunset provides beautiful lighting for preliminary shots.
Settings: Use manual mode with higher ISO settings (1600-3200) to capture the candlelight without flash. Long exposure shots can create beautiful light trails from floating krathongs.
Composition: Include reflections in water for more dynamic images. Capture both wide festival scenes and close-up details of individual krathongs.
Planning Your Visit to Thailand
If you’re traveling to Thailand specifically for Loy Krathong 2025, advance planning ensures the best experience.
Accommodation
Book hotels well in advance, especially in popular destinations like Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Festival dates see increased demand and higher prices.
Transportation
Domestic flights and train tickets sell out quickly around festival time. Book early and consider arriving a few days before November 12th to