October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
ThatPainter
culture

Loy Krathong: Meaning, Dates and Where to Celebrate in Thailand

Loy Krathong is a Thai festival of floating decorated krathongs. Learn about its meaning, uncertain origins, changing date and regional celebrations.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

Loy Krathong is a Thai festival in which people float decorated krathongs on rivers and other waterways. The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes the gesture as asking forgiveness from the Mother of River; customs and celebrations vary by place and participant. The date changes each year, so check current official notices before planning a visit.

What is Loy Krathong?

Loy Krathong, also spelled Loi Krathong, is named for the act of setting a krathong afloat. A krathong is a small decorated float, traditionally made with locally used materials. The Tourism Authority of Thailand presents the practice as an offering that asks forgiveness from the Mother of River, but that is an account of the tradition, not a single interpretation shared by every participant. Tourism Authority of Thailand: Festivals

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The krathong and local materials

There is no one design that represents every celebration. The Tourism Authority’s 2025 event roundup described illuminated coconut-shell krathongs in Tak and banana-trunk krathongs at the Mae Klong community festival. These examples show local variation; they do not establish a required form or verify the environmental impact of any particular item. Tourism Authority of Thailand: Thailand marks rivers of light for the Loi Krathong Festival 2025

When is Loy Krathong?

The festival’s date varies from year to year. Thailand’s Government Public Relations Department identified 5 November as the 2025 date. That date is a past example, not a guide to the next celebration. The official sources cited here do not confirm 2026 dates or schedules, so check the relevant government or tourism authority notice for the year and city you plan to visit. Government Public Relations Department: Loy Krathong to Proceed with Adjusted Celebrations in Tribute to Queen Sirikit Queen Mother

Where can you celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand?

Celebrations take place in different provinces, with distinct local programs and settings. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s 2025 roundup listed events in Sukhothai, Tak, Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok and Bangkok, among other places. Those listings describe that year’s events and should not be treated as a current schedule or as evidence that one destination is the best choice.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
2025 example What the official roundup described
Tak Illuminated coconut-shell krathongs
Mae Klong community festival Banana-trunk krathongs
Phitsanulok Cultural performances and floating
Bangkok A River Festival spanning multiple piers

These are local expressions of the festival, not interchangeable versions of a standardized event. For a trip, compare the confirmed dates, waterway or venue, program and visitor logistics in current official notices. The roundup is available at Thailand marks rivers of light for the Loi Krathong Festival 2025.

Check the specific venue before floating a krathong

Do not assume that every riverfront or event venue permits visitors to float their own krathong. Check the organizer’s current rules and any restrictions on materials before attending. The 2025 listings do not establish rules for later events.

What is known about the festival’s origins?

The exact beginning of Loy Krathong is not established. Thailand’s Government Public Relations Department says there is no clear evidence fixing when the tradition began. It reports a belief that it dates to the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, approximately 1279–1298, and points to Inscription No. 1’s reference to Phao Tian Len Fai as evidence of a Sukhothai celebration. This is an attributed historical account, not proof that today’s festival began at a precise date or already took its present form. Government Public Relations Department: Sukhothai Loy Krathong & Candle Festival 2025

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What to know before planning a visit

  • Use current official announcements for the year and city you intend to visit; past dates and programs can change.
  • Confirm the event venue, schedule and whether visitors may float a krathong there.
  • If choosing a krathong, treat local materials and designs as place-specific examples, not a guarantee that an online item matches local practice.
  • Do not infer environmental credentials from a material name alone; the cited event descriptions do not assess disposal effects or environmental impact.

In 2025, the government said nationwide festivities would proceed on schedule while asking for restrained and respectful celebrations. The Sukhothai event notice also described modified entertainment and a nightly candle tribute in that year’s mourning context. These were specific arrangements for 2025, not standing rules for future festivals. Government Public Relations Department: 2025 arrangements and Sukhothai event notice

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Loy Krathong Thai Lanterns, Thailand T-Shirt
  • For Thailand holidays and Thai light festivals. Thailand decoration for Thailand fans. Loy Krathong Thai Lanterns Decoration
  • For Thailand holidays in Phuket, Samui, Bangkok and Pattaya Cool Thai design holiday.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #4
Thailand Loy Krathong Festival Thai Culture Lantern Celebration Travel Souvenir Car Window 5" Vinyl Decal Bumper Sticker
  • Show your national pride — Vivid, true-to-color country flag designs with sharp printed detail, perfect for displaying your heritage, travels, or team spirit.
  • All-weather durability — UV-resistant inks and premium vinyl construction stand up to rain, snow, intense sunlight, and extreme temperature changes without fading, cracking, or peeling.
  • Sticks to virtually any smooth surface — Flexible vinyl conforms effortlessly to curved and flat surfaces alike: car bumpers, windows, water bottles, helmets, laptops, and more.
  • Easy bubble-free application — Pressure-sensitive adhesive allows precise placement; residue-free removal so you won't damage paint or finishes.
  • Proudly made in the USA — Manufactured with meticulous quality control using American materials and printing processes for a finish that rivals professional signage.

More from the Paint Desk

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.