How to enjoy Loy Krathong Festival like a boss

by Paphada Apimonton · Published November 19, 2015 · Updated November 19, 2015

If you are new to Loy Krathong Festival and have no ideas where should you go or what should you do during this 25 November. We have gathered some activity ideas you could enjoy on Loy Krathong day apart from floating the banana vessels.

Some of them will require you to reserve the spot in advance as the demand is high during the festival. But for those who like to go with the flow, there are also activities that you can simply walk into the spot and enjoy!

1. Roam a public park

Lumpini Park

Normally most public parks in Bangkok will not open in the late night, but during Loy Krathong Day, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced to open 29 parks in the city for the floating Krathong this year.

So this is a good chance to enjoy the park at night and there are no fees to enter to each park for floating your Krathong as well.

Pros

Free entrance
Be part of the locals
No need for any reservation

Cons

No privacy
The crowd

Recommended places:

Lumpini park
Benjakiti park
Benjathat park

2. Book a riverside hotel

Stunning view from Chatrium Riverside Hotel

This is the most exclusive and luxurious way to enjoy Loy Krathong Festival. There are many riverside hotels in Bangkok, ranging from the five-star hotel with the superb river view to the affordable ones that might not be located next to the river bank but close enough to see the view.

Booking the riverside hotels will save you a lot of troubles. For example, you do not have to fight your way to the good spot to float your Krathong, as the riverside hotels will have their own pier reserved exclusively for their guests.

Secondly, after the long night of Krathong, celebration and late-night firework; you don’t have to drag your tiring body back on the road just to get home – all you have to do is head up to the hotel room and rest!

Lastly, the hotels usually provide Loy Krathong activities as a bundled package to your room. Some are free and some might not be included, but if you are a traveler who wants to learn more about the festival, this is a place to go.

Pros

Awesome view by the river
Private space for float your Krathong
Less crowd and more exclusive
Might include extra activities ex. Krathong-making workshop, Beauty pageant contest and etc.,

Cons

It’s not free and most likely will be expensive
Need to plan and book ahead

Recommended places:

3. Book a cruise tour

Grand pearl Cruise

A river cruise tour is one of the ways to really get into the heart of the festival by literally floating in the river! There are plenty of river cruises in Bangkok, most of them will offer you a buffet on board, drinks (sometimes exclude), Thai traditional performances and live music performance. This river cruise will offer a great view and experience of Loy Krathong, but you need to book this well ahead of time as seats are limited.

Pros

Exclusive view from the heart of the river
Offshore Loy Krathong experience
More private
Less crowd

Cons

Limited offer
Tend to be expensive
Need more time to plan and book ahead

Recommended places:

4. Book a table at a riverside restaurant

Supatra river house

There are thousands of restaurants by the river in Bangkok. You can choose base on your budget and your time. The most luxury one with a great view, fine cuisine and probably a private pier will require you to book the table in advance and, of course, you will have to prepare to pay an extra.

For those who have a limited budget, you can simply find local restaurants along Chao Phraya River, which normally sell local Thai food and seafood. Some of the restaurants (with a private pier) even open for non-guests to participate in Loy Krathong Festival by charging the entrance fee.

Pros

Relatively private
The view and fun come with food
Sometimes comes with private pier
Relatively cheaper than booking a hotel or a cruise

Cons

It can be crowded if the restaurant also opens to the public
Not all tables will have the river view

Recommended places:

5. Visit riverside malls

Asiatique the Riverfront during Loy Krathong

This is the cheapest and most entertaining ways to enjoy Loy Krathong. Why? Because most likely that you won’t have to pay any fees like an entrance or activities fees. Without those barriers, you will feel the spirit of the festival more as well as the crowd! So if you like to socialise and be part of something, we would really recommend you this option.

Pros