Thailand’s Festival of Lights is about to illuminate the entire kingdom. Loy Krathong – the night when thousands of candles drift on water and lanterns float into the sky – is a spectacle that travelers and locals alike cherish. This year, we’re taking you on an odyssey from the mountains of Chiang Mai to the shores of Phuket, showing how Loy Krathong shines in different corners of the country. Pack your sense of wonder (and maybe a lighter) as we celebrate this enchanting festival from north to south.
Northern Radiance in Chiang Mai
On a cool November evening in Chiang Mai, the Old City comes alive with a glow unlike any other. As twilight deepens, locals gather by the Ping River and around the moat, gently lowering candlelit krathongs (banana-leaf baskets) onto the water. Up above, the sky itself becomes part of the show: hundreds of paper lanterns (as part of the Yi Peng tradition) are released, drifting heavenward like new stars . The sight is surreal – reflections of flickering candles below, new constellations forming above. It’s a moment of collective awe and reflection, meant to let go of past misfortunes and make wishes for the year ahead .
Chiang Mai’s Loy Krathong is particularly special because it coincides with Yi Peng, the Lanna (northern Thai) lantern festival. Walk near Tha Phae Gate or along the Ping River on Loy Krathong night, and you’ll find street parades in traditional Lanna costumes, festive markets, and even beauty pageants honoring the legendary Nang Noppamas (the festival’s first heroine). The air is filled with the scent of incense and sounds of soft Khantoke music. It’s an immersive cultural experience that feels almost cinematic – like stepping into a postcard of Thailand’s heritage.
To fully savor Chiang Mai’s magic, you’ll want a stay that puts you right in the heart of the action. Tucked away on a quiet lane of the Old City is Jaidee Bamboo Huts, a boutique hotel and restaurant offering rustic-chic bamboo bungalows just steps from the festivities. By day, you can explore nearby temples and markets; by night, stroll out to release your krathong in the moat. At Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, Jaidee Bamboo Huts , the ambiance is intimate and authentically Thai – think wooden decks, lush gardens, and a friendly host ready to share insider tips. (Don’t miss their rooftop juice bar for a pre-festival smoothie!) With Jaidee Bamboo Huts as your base, you’re not just observing Loy Krathong – you’re living it. (Booking Link: Jaidee Bamboo Huts on Expedia.com)
Riverside Lights in Bangkok
Next, our journey heads to Thailand’s capital, where the Chao Phraya River snakes through a jungle of skyscrapers and gilded temples. Bangkok takes on a particular charm during Loy Krathong. Despite being a bustling metropolis, the city pauses to honor the water goddess. Come nightfall, families and couples converge at lakes and riverfronts – from downtown’s Lumpini Park to the banks by IconSiam – to float their krathongs. The river itself becomes a canvas of light: thousands of little candle flames bobbing on the current, drifting under bridges and past illuminated temples . It’s a truly magical sight, one that contrasts beautifully with Bangkok’s neon skyline. Fireworks often burst above the river, and if you listen closely, you might hear the soft melody of traditional Thai songs amid the hubbub of the crowd.
One of the best seats in the house for Loy Krathong in Bangkok is literally a seat – at a riverside hotel’s outdoor terrace. Many top hotels host elegant Loy Krathong evenings, complete with Thai dance shows, lavish buffets, and private areas to release krathongs without the downtown crowds . For a quintessential experience, consider Shangri-La Bangkok, an iconic 5-star hotel perched on the Chao Phraya. Here you can dine by the water as dancers perform, then step down to the hotel’s dock to set your decorated basket afloat, all while avoiding the city’s traffic mayhem. The backdrop? Wat Arun’s spires glowing across the river and perhaps a few lanterns rising (yes, Bangkok has caught the lantern bug too, albeit on a smaller scale ). Shangri-La’s riverside gardens and pools also provide a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city – a perfect retreat after an exhilarating festival night. (Booking Link: Shangri-La Bangkok on Booking.com)
While in Bangkok, you might also explore how the city celebrates in various neighborhoods. Upstream at Asiatique night market, for instance, you’ll find one of the biggest public festivals with live music and even illuminated boat processions . Or venture to the Old City’s Phra Athit Pier, where young Thais gather with friends, giving the festival a casual, communal vibe on the grassy banks. No matter where you are in the capital, the essence is the same – coming together to light a candle, make a wish, and watch it float away, carrying hopes (and maybe a clipped fingernail or two, per tradition) into the darkness .
Beachside Glow in Phuket
Finally, our festival trail reaches Phuket, Thailand’s famous island paradise. You might think Loy Krathong is only a big deal up north or in Bangkok, but come the full moon night, Phuket’s beaches come alive with the festival’s charm as well . Picture this: a warm tropical evening on Patong Beach, the tide gently rolling in, and locals alongside travelers kneeling in the sand to launch their krathongs into the sea. Each basket carries a candle, incense, and maybe a few strands of hair or nail clippings – symbolic cast-offs of bad luck. As the waves carry the glowing offerings out, the entire shoreline twinkles. Over at Nai Harn Lake, a more family-friendly crowd gathers to float krathongs in the calm water, creating a mirror of starlight on earth. And yes, even here, sky lanterns are known to appear, drifting above the palm trees (though official events have toned this down for safety in recent years ).
What makes Phuket’s Loy Krathong special is the laid-back island vibe. Often, it coincides with beach barbecues, impromptu music jams, or resort-hosted happenings. You might wander into a local fair at Saphan Hin Park in Phuket Town – think street food stalls frying up banana pancakes, kids with sparklers, and a beauty contest for “Nang Noppamas” under the stars. It’s festive yet relaxed, a blend of reverence and tropical holiday cheer.
After chasing festival lights across Thailand, Phuket is the perfect place to unwind – and perhaps indulge a bit. To end your journey on a high note, consider treating yourself to a stay at Trisara Phuket, one of the island’s prime luxury resorts. Tucked on a secluded corner of northwestern Phuket, Trisara offers private pool villas overlooking the Andaman Sea – your own sanctuary of serenity. During Loy Krathong, the resort often gives guests their own krathongs to release at its little beach cove, creating an intimate ceremony just for the resort community. Imagine floating a candle on a quiet ocean inlet, then retreating to your infinity pool with a view of a moonlit bay. At Trisara, with its world-class spa and gourmet Thai cuisine, you’ll feel you’ve found the third heaven (fitting, since “Trisara” literally means “Third Garden in Heaven”). It’s an ideal finale for your Loy Krathong odyssey – blending Thai tradition with ultimate relaxation. (Booking Link: Trisara Phuket on Expedia.com)
A Festival Uniting a Nation
Over the course of a few days each year, Loy Krathong manages to connect an entire country through shared rituals of light and water. The festival’s origin traces back over 700 years to the Sukhothai Kingdom , and yet, experiencing it in 2025 feels as poignant and magical as ever. Whether you’re standing by Chiang Mai’s ancient moat, a Bangkok riverside, or a Phuket shoreline, the simple act of releasing a tiny boat with a candle is profoundly moving. It’s a reminder of Thailand’s cultural depth – a mix of spirituality, community, and beauty that leaves a lasting impression on all who participate.
Traveling from Chiang Mai to Phuket for Loy Krathong offers a rare chance to see these contrasts and common threads in one trip. In the span of a week, you can go from witnessing lanterns swarm like fireflies above a northern temple (and maybe doing some mountain glamping under the lantern-lit skies ) to sharing in an urban riverfront gala in the capital, then capping it off with a tranquil beachside ritual. Each location offers a different mood – the reverence and romance of Chiang Mai, the cosmopolitan splendor of Bangkok, the relaxed charm of Phuket – yet all are bound by the same flicker of candlelight reflecting hope.
As Loy Krathong night comes to an end, you might find yourself in Phuket lying on the sand, watching the last candle disappear on the waves or a stray lantern flicker out over the sea. In that quiet moment, you’ll feel the essence of Thailand: a country that knows how to celebrate life’s simple joys, that finds unity in shared traditions, and that welcomes everyone to join in the glow. Loy Krathong is more than a festival; it’s an invitation to be part of Thailand’s story – one light at a time.
Wherever you celebrate this Festival of Lights – be it in the mountainous north, the bustling center, or the tropical south – one thing’s for sure: the memories will shine bright for years to come.
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FAQ:
- Q: When is Loy Krathong celebrated in 2025? A: Loy Krathong is held on the evening of the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. In 2025, it falls on November 6, 2025 . (The date shifts each year, typically landing in November.)
- Q: What’s the difference between Loy Krathong and Yi Peng? A: Yi Peng is a lantern festival celebrated mainly in northern Thailand (especially Chiang Mai) where people release sky lanterns. It often coincides with Loy Krathong, which is the nationwide Festival of Lights focused on floating krathong baskets on water. In Chiang Mai, the two festivals merge – you’ll see both floating lanterns in the sky and krathongs on the river.
- Q: Where are the best places to experience Loy Krathong in Thailand? A: Chiang Mai is famous for its lantern-filled sky and traditional vibe. Sukhothai (the festival’s birthplace) holds an amazing celebration among ancient ruins. Bangkok offers grand riverside events (try Asiatique or any park lake), and beach areas like Phuket or Koh Samui provide scenic coastal celebrations . Essentially, anywhere with water – even a village pond – you’ll find locals celebrating Loy Krathong!
