Venues for Loy Krathong 2015: The Ultimate Guide

As Loy Krathong Festival 2015 will take place on Wednesday 25 November, you might not be able to go celebrate somewhere else rather than in Bangkok. However, you will not miss anything because Bangkok also plays one of the biggest hosts of Loy Krathong in Thailand.

But for those who planned to escape the capital during this festival, there are many other venues that famous for holding Loy Krathong event.

In the northern part of Thailand, Sukhothai plays the biggest venues for Loy Krathong event. After that, there are Chiang Mai that is famous for its “Yi Peng Festival”, and Tak Province where the Loy Krathong Sai Festival is also very well-known among both locals and travelers.

In the Central region, Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi, and Samut Songkram are also great choices to enjoy this floating festival.

You don’t know where to head this Loy Krathong 2015? Try these:

Bangkok

There are nine main venues in Bangkok that the government together with the private sectors have prepared fun-filled activities, cultural shows and many more. These nine highlighted Loy Krathong spots are along the festival’s epicenter, the Chao Phraya River, namely:

1. Suan Nakarapirom Park

Visitors can find traditional Loy Krathong themed event in Phra Nakhon district. The floating festival here features traditional Thai costumes, cultural activities of Rattanakosin period, bringing visitors back to the good old days of the ancient Thai era.

2. Rama VIII Park

Another main venue that will be filled with traditional activities and entertainment is at the park near Rama VIII Bridge. This point is the final stop of the Loy Krathong Boat procession that is set to commence its journey from Bangkok Bridge to the final stop. The Boat procession will illuminate the dark nights during the three-day event – from 23 to 25 November.

3. River Festival by Thai Beverage

River festival 2015

While the first two venues are held by the Thai Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan, the River Festival 2015 is set to celebrate Loy Krathong in seven other spots along the river of the king in Bangkok. These venues are four temples and three riverside attractions.

The four riverside temples that will play host to the beautiful Loy Krathong evenings are Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Wat Arun), Wat Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram (Wat Pho), Wat Prayurawongsawas (Wat Prayoon) and Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan (Wat Kalaya).

The other three venues for the River Festival are The Maharaj Pier, Yodpiman Riverwalk and Asiatique the Riverfront. These riverside shopping malls will feature many cultural activities, Thai traditional performances, Thai way of life and fun fair.

The River Festival offers free shuttle boat for visitors to commute from one stop to another venue. There are two routes provided – the Yodpiman Riverwalk to Asiatique and the Yodpiman – Tha Tien (Wat Pho) – Tha Maharat – Wat Arun – Wat Prayurawongsawas route.

4. Riverside hotels

It becomes a practice that all riverside hotels will partake in Loy Krathong Festival. Most of them will offer dinner package that includes things like dinner, Loy Krathong activity such as Krathong-making workshop and Thai traditional performances.

This year eight hotels along the river, between Sathon Bridge and Phra Pokklao Bridge, agreed to co-host an extravagant fireworks display which will be held on 25 November at 22.00 hrs.

Hotels in Bangkok Riverside Hotels in Bangkok Riverside

5. And 29 public parks

29 public parks across Bangkok will become available for people to enjoy floating Krathong and other events. These venues include the famous names such as Lumpini Park, Chatuchak Park, Wachira Benjathat Park and many more.

We listed the main venues on this map.

Sukhothai

Photo by Tourism Authority of Thailand

Sukhothai’s Loy Krathong Festival always goes by the special name – the Candle Festival. The famous Loy Krathong Festival has its origin from the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai, so that’s why the floating Krathong event in this province is always a held in the most elegant and grandest way.

This year the Candle Festival is to be held during 21 to 25 November. There will be light and sounds telling the history of the festival of light – how it began, the practice, and the celebration. Other festivities to be featured at this venue are an ancient Sukhothai market, fun fair, Krathong and beauty pageants competitions, Thai classical music and performances and firework displays.

Hotels in Sukhothai Hotels in Sukhothai

Chiang Mai

Photo from Wikipedia

Yi Peng or widely known as the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai is the main attraction when it comes to Loy Krathong in the North. The usual way of floating Krathong is to release the banana vessel in the flowing river. However, in Chiang Mai, people release the lit lantern to the night sky instead. This spectacular sight together with the chanting from monks as the background, make the night even more enchanting. The Yi Peng Festival will be held from 22 to 26 November at the old Tha Phae Gate.

Other fun activities include vibrant parades, musical performances, beauty pageants, classic shows, lantern-making contests, and fireworks.

Hotels in Chiang Mai Hotels in Chiang Mai

Tak

Photo from Tourism Authority of Thailand

Known as Loy Krathong Sai Festival, Tak celebrates this festival a little bit different from other spots in Thailand, as their Krathong is made from coconut shell instead of banana leaf. There will be a competition of a train of 1,000 glittering lanterns or coconut-shell Krathong to win a Royal trophy. The festival will take place from 21 to 26 November at Ping River, Rattanakosin 200 Years Bridge.

Hotels in Tak Hotels in Tak

Ayutthaya

Photo from Tourism Authority of Thailand

Ayutthaya celebrates the Loy Krathong Tam Prathip at Bangsai Royal Arts and Crafts Center with the theme of the Ayutthaya ancient glorious days. The event will be held from 21 to 25 November and there will be many fun activities such as floating Krathong, beauty queens competition, and a fun fair under the mimicking atmosphere of an ancient time of Ayutthaya era.

Hotels in Ayutthaya Hotels in Ayutthaya

Samut Songkram

Photo by Tourism Authority of Thailand

Close to Bangkok, Samut Songkram is another province to play a major host of Loy Krathong festival. The Kab Kluay Mueang Maekhlong Festival will be held at  King Rama II Memorial Park on 25 November. The event’s highlight will be the 200,000 pieces of Krathong made of the banana trunk to be floated on the river that will illuminate the night.

Other festivities to be featured at the event are illuminated boat procession, Thai folk shows, beauty pageant, Krathong-making demonstration, and food offering to the monks along the river.

Hotels in Samut Songkram Hotels in Samut Songkram

Ratchaburi

Photo by Suchart Chantrawong

The charm of Mon culture can be enjoyed at Ratchaburi Province. The local people have a slightly different way to celebrate this full moon day by lighting the candle around temple’s bot and viharn building – this act is to signify giving blessings to their life.

After that, it is a time for floating Krathong. Krathongs in Ratchaburi Province are often made from colorful papers and they will be floated away at Wat Sai Areerak in Photharam district. Again, there will be many fun activities from beauty queen competition to fun fair.

Hotels in Ratchaburi Hotels in Ratchaburi

No firecrackers

According to BMA, this year it is forbidden to light up firecrackers, selling food, beverages and even Krathongs.

Loy Krathong Festival is a nationwide event that hold across Thailand. Bangkok is one of the famous venues among the other popular spots such as Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and Tak province.

Where will you celebrate Loy Krathong festival this year?