Loy Krathong is a nationwide festival celebrated throughout Thailand on the full moon of the 12th month of the traditional lunar calendar. This year, it's on 15 November 2024. In Bangkok, almost every place near the river or pond will be full of lights from thousands of candles twinkling on the water. Discover the best places to celebrate Loy Krathong in Bangkok.
Best Places in Bangkok for Loy Krathong
To celebrate this important Thai festival in the capital city, you can join one of numerous Loy Krathong festival events held in Bangkok. The main spots for locals and tourists to celebrate Loy Krathong in Bangkok include the Chao Phraya River, Asiatique the Riverfront, Wat Arun, Tha Maharat, Rama VIII Bridge, Santichaiprakan Park, as well as other prominent hotels and restaurants in town.
1. Bangkok Loy Krathong Dinner Cruise
You can celebrate Loy Krathong Festival 2024 on the waves of the majestic Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Enjoying dinner on Bangkok Loy Krathong River Cruise is one of the most exclusive ways for experiencing this traditional Thai festival as you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city lights and thousands of candles on the river.
There are many dinner cruises to choose for your memorable night out on Loy Krathong Day and most of them can be found in the list of Bangkok River Cruises. During such a dinner cruise, you will experience the beauty of the Bangkok waterfront and see famous landmarks of the city illuminated at night while enjoying a gourmet dinner.
Popular Bangkok river cruises during Loy Krathong:
2. Bangkok River Festival 2024
Bangkok River Festival is one of the best and most popular events in Bangkok related to Loy Krathong. This unique cultural celebration will continue for 3 days and 3 nights, from 14 to 16 November 2024.
In total, there are 10 festival venues, including 5 important historical temples along the Chao Phraya River, where you can join merit-making activities, as well as see various traditional performances, and 5 contemporary culture riverside venues, such as Yodpiman Riverwalk, Tha Maharaj, Asiatique The Riverfront, Sooksiam at ICONSIAM, and Ong Ang Canal.
There's a free shuttle boat service that lets you travel between the venues of the festival.
3. THAICONIC Loy Krathong at ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM, the iconic shopping mall on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, is inviting to a spectacular Loy Krathong Festival celebration, presented under the theme "The Flowing Legacy of Thai Spirit." This celebration is crafted to honor and preserve Thailand’s invaluable cultural heritage.
The event will be packed with numerous highlights, making this Loy Krathong festival even more special:
- Special Performances showcasing traditional Thai arts
- Beauty Pageant of Nang Noppamas for 2024
- Mini-concerts by renowned Thai artists
- “Five Unique Krathong Traditions” Exhibition, featuring:
- Yi Peng Lanterns from Chiang Mai
- Coconut Shell Krathong from the Floating Lantern Festival in Tak
- Fire and Lantern Festival with hanging lanterns from Sukhothai
- Large Floating Lanterns from the Full Moon Festival in Roi Et
- Banana Trunk Krathong from the Samut Songkhram Province tradition
How to get there: Take BTS Silom Line train to Krung Thon Buri Station and transfer to BTS Gold Line train, going to ICONSIAM.
4. Loy Krathong Festival Events at Bangkok Hotels
Many hotels in Bangkok organize various events on Loy Krathong Day to entertain guests with special atmosphere, from floating Krathong down the river to enjoying delicious dishes and overnight with special one-night-only rates on Loy Krathong Day 2024.
The best hotels in Bangkok for Loy Krathong Day celebration and their special offers on this occasion are listed here: Bangkok Hotel Loy Krathong Events.
The most popular Bangkok hotels during Loy Krathong:
For a wider choice of accommodation along the Chao Phraya River, explore the best Bangkok Riverside hotels.
5. Bangkok Public Parks
Bangkok public parks with ponds all around the city will be open for public to celebrate Loy Krathong Festival. Some of the most popular parks for floating krathongs in Bangkok include Lumpini Park, Benjakiti Park, Benchasiri Park, Santi Chai Prakan Park, Wachirabenchathat Park, Saranrom Park, and Santiphap Park.
Lumpini Park
Location: Lumpini
How to get there: Take Bangkok MRT to Silom or Lumphini Station, or BTS SkyTrain to Sala Daeng Station (Exit No. 6).
Benjakitti Park
Location: Sukhumvit
How to get there: Take Bangkok BTS to Asok station, walk out through the Exit No. 4, and walk on Ratchadaphisek Road for about 300 meters.
Santi Chai Prakan Park
Location: near Khao San Road
How to get there: The best way is to take Chao Phraya Express Boat and get off at Phra Arthit Pier (N13) or take one of Bangkok bus routes passing the area.
Other Bangkok Public Parks
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will allow the public to celebrate Loy Krathong Festival in 34 Bangkok public parks from 05:00 until midnight. Full list of the parks can be found here: Bangkok Public Parks to Celebrate Loy Krathong.
6. Colors of the River, Loy Krathong Festival, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, Bangkok
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has scheduled the Delightful Colours of the River, Loy Krathong Festival 2024, under the theme “Amazing Night of Lights: Loy Krathong Festival”, highlighting the precious Loy Krathong tradition that creatively reflects the Thai identity and showcasing cultural activities, blending with modern multimedia and technology to reach the younger generation. This Loy Krathong Festival celebration will take place on 13-16 November 2024 at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, Bangkok.
Activities of the festival celebration:
- Loy Krathong celebration: Loy Krathong tradition, cultural performances and the activity of releasing krathongs
- Illuminated krathong displays in 5 distinctive areas, representing the cultural richness through the symbolic landmarks of 5 distinctive regions:
- Yi Peng Festival, Chiang Mai
- Loy Krathong Sai Festival, Tak
- Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival, Sukhothai
- Loy Krathong Kap Kluai Mueang Mae Klong Festival, Samut Songkhram
- Somma Nam Khuen Pheng Seng Prathip Festival, Roi Et
- Demonstration and DIY workshop of making Krathongs using natural materials.
- Cultural performances and contemporary shows
- Lighting decorations along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem
- Nang Nopphamat Beauty Contest
- Creative eco-friendly krathong contest
- Ancient and rare traditional Thai food demonstration and food zone
Location: Hua Lamphong Area
How to get there: The nearest station to Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem is MRT Hua Lamphong.
7. ASIATIQUE The Riverfront
If you want to experience a Loy Krathong night with bustles and food stalls, live music, and show, Asiatique the Riverfront is a good choice. However, expect a big crowd here, as they are also operating as one of ten Bangkok River Festival venues.
Location: Bangkok Riverside
How to get there: The easiest and fastest way is taking the BTS SkyTrain to Saphan Taksin Station (Exit No. 2) and then jumping on the free shuttle (ASIATIQUE The Riverfront’s shuttle boat) at the end of the pier. It only takes ten minutes to get there.
8. Rama VIII Bridge, Chao Phraya River
Rama VIII Bridge in the early evening with the lights from the bridge shining on both sides of the Chao Phraya River is another very popular place in Bangkok on Loy Krathong, as locals come and float krathongs at this spot. Every year, in Suan Luang Rama VIII Park, there is a Loy Krathong event which emphasizes on preserving Loy Krathong traditions. Here you can celebrate the festival in a beautiful atmosphere of Bangkok at night with the Rama VIII Bridge as a backdrop.
How to get there: Take BTS to Saphan Taksin Station (S6), leave via exit No. 2 and then take Chao Phraya Express Boat (Orange Line) from Sathorn Pier to Phra Arthit Pier, which is located not from Rama VIII Bridge.
9. Chulalongkorn University - Loy Krathong: Illuminate the Future
Chulalongkorn University will organize the Loy Krathong Festival event "Loy Krathong: Illuminate the Future" on 15-17 November 2024, from 16:00 to 21:00. The celebration is intended to preserve and impart fine traditions, Thai arts and culture. It also promotes the importance of water and conscience in the conservation of natural resources. There will be many cultural shows and activities, such as parade and krathong contests. The festival celebration at Chulalongkorn University will also feature a night market.
How to get there: Take MRT Blue Line to Sam Yan Station and leave through Exit No. 2.
Loy Krathong in Thailand
More information about the celebration of Loy Krathong in Thailand can be found here: Loy Krathong Festival.
