Amazing Thailand
Loy Krathong Festival of Lights is one of the most important festivals of the year in Thailand. It is celebrated with the release of small rafts unto the surface of bodies of water. Lanterns with candles inside are released into the air.
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Festival of Lights
Loy Krathong Festival of Lights is held in Amazing Thailand at the end of the rainy season on the full moon of the 12th lunar month.
Involving the release of lanterns into the air or rafts unto the surface of bodies of water, it takes place on Friday 19 November in 2021. And it will take place on Tuesday 8 November in 2022.
Loi Krathong Festival of Lights is one of the most important festivals in Thailand. Loi Krthongs is also known as the Festival of Lights. It takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month on the Thai lunar calendar.
Floating Lanterns
On this evening, Thais set incense, flowers, and candles atop little rafts, which are known as krathong in Thai. They set them adrift on rivers, canals, and ponds. It is a beautiful sight to behold!
Before they set the floating lanterns adrift, devotees make a wish, believing that the rafts will ‘float away’ their problems as they float off into the distance.
Loy Krathong Festival of Lights Aerial Hazard
In addition to floating rafts on bodies of water, Thais also launch flying krathong into the air., It is a breathtaking spectacle!
Unfortunately, the large number of flying krathong can prove hazardous to air traffic.
As a result, the military junta now ruling Thailand has warned that anyone releasing krathong near airports will be subject to life imprisonment. In fact, it could even the death penalty.
Loy Krathong Festival of Lights in Bangkok
Bangkok is crisscrossed by rivers and canals and dotted with parks that have lakes or ponds. Loy Krathong Festival of Lights is celebrated practically everywhere in Bangkok where bodies of water can be found.
Needless to say, the Chao Praya River, which cuts through the heart of the Thai capital, is a favoured spot to celebrate Loy Krathong.
Celebrants set rafts covered with candles, flowers, coins, and incense afloat from the shores of the Chao Praya River.
One of the biggest – and therefore most crowded – riverside celebrations is held at Asiatique, a sprawling complex of shops and food and beverage outlets, which overlooks the Chao Praya River.
Celebrating Loy Krathong aboard one the many boats that ply the Chao Praya River is popular with tourists and locals alike.
Many of the hotels situated along the Chao Praya River have exclusive access to the river, allowing in-house guests to release their own floating lanterns without having to fight the crowds.
Hotels in other parts of the city with swimming pools often host Loy Krathong events around their swimming pool.
Parks containing bodies of water, such as Lumpini Park in Central Bangkok, are also favoured spots to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
Other favoured spots include the many canals, known locally as klongs, that crisscross Bangkok.
Next to Bangkok, Chiang Mai is one of the most popular travel destinations to celebrate Loy Krathong. The beach resorts of Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, and Phuket are also popular.
Where to Celebrate Loy Krathong Festival of Lights
These are the seven most popular places in Thailand to celebrate Loy Krathong Festival of Lights. Cities are listed in alphabetical order. Click to search for hotels.
- Bangkok Hotel
- Chiang Mai Hotels
- Hua Hin Hotels
- Koh Samui Hotels
- Krabi Hotels
- Pattaya Hotels
- Phuket Hotels
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