By NaJade · DJ in Bangkok · Published October 20, 2026
Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November, the full-moon night of the twelfth Thai lunar month. In Bangkok, people float small decorated baskets called krathongs on the Chao Phraya River and in city park lakes from early evening. It is free to join: buy a natural krathong for around 20 baht or more, light the candle, make a wish and let it go.
Loy Krathong is the night Bangkok feels gentlest. Couples, families and office workers drift down to the water after work, candles flicker on the river, and for a few hours the city slows down. It is not a party festival like Songkran — it is quiet, pretty and a little emotional. Here is how to join in properly as a visitor.
Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November. Float your krathong at a riverside pier or a city park such as Lumphini or Benjakitti. Choose one made of banana trunk and leaves, not foam, skip coins and sky lanterns, and travel by BTS, MRT or boat because roads near the river jam.
What Loy Krathong Is
“Loy” means to float and a “krathong” is a small floating basket, traditionally made from a slice of banana tree trunk, decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, three incense sticks and a candle. On the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, Thais float them to thank the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, and symbolically let go of bad luck and grudges. Many people add a strand of hair or a nail clipping as a personal offering.
It is not a public holiday — banks and offices stay open — so the main action starts after work, from about 6pm. The festival is nationwide; northern cities add lantern releases (Yi Peng in Chiang Mai), but in Bangkok the focus is the water. The Loy Krathong Wikipedia entry covers the history and regional variations.
Where to Float a Krathong in Bangkok
| Place | Vibe | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside piers near Wat Arun and Wat Pho | Classic, temples lit up, very busy | River boat to Tha Tien; MRT Sanam Chai |
| ICONSIAM riverfront | Big organised event, family-friendly | BTS Gold Line or river shuttle |
| Asiatique The Riverfront | Market, food, river views | Shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier |
| Lumphini Park | Central, local, lots of families | MRT Silom or Lumphini |
| Benjakitti Park | Modern lake park, skyline views | MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre |
| Chatuchak and Santichaiprakarn parks | Relaxed, less touristy | MRT/BTS to Chatuchak; Phra Arthit pier |
In 2025 the city opened 33 public parks until midnight with official floating points, and riverside piers set up enclosed basins so krathongs could be collected afterwards. Expect similar arrangements in 2026, but the details are announced close to the date — check the Tourism Authority of Thailand news site in the week before. If you want to stay near the action, our guide to where to stay in Bangkok covers the riverside.
The Rules (and the Etiquette)
- Natural materials only. Foam krathongs are banned in Bangkok parks. Choose banana trunk and leaves. Bread krathongs are discouraged in park ponds because they foul still water.
- No sky lanterns or fireworks in city parks — they were banned in 2025, and lanterns are restricted near airports.
- One krathong per family or couple is the official request, to cut down on waste.
- No coins. The city asks people not to add money, because children dive into the river to collect it.
- No alcohol sales in the parks on the night.
- Dress respectfully if you are at a temple: shoulders and knees covered. See what to wear in Bangkok and our Thai etiquette guide.
How to Float Your Krathong
- Buy or make one. Street stalls sell them from around 20 baht, with elaborate ones costing more. Some hotels and malls run free krathong-making sessions.
- Find an official point — a pier platform or park jetty — rather than leaning over the bank.
- Light the candle and incense, hold the krathong, and make a wish or think of something to let go.
- Place it gently on the water and give it a small push. If it floats away steadily, that is said to be good luck.
- Stay a while. Watching the lights drift is the point.
Practical Tips for the Night
- Use the train. Roads near the river gridlock from early evening; BTS, MRT and boats are faster. See how to get around Bangkok.
- Arrive early — around 6–7pm — if you want space at the popular piers.
- Agree a meeting point with your group; phone signal can struggle in big crowds.
- Watch your step. Piers get crowded and slippery after dark, so keep children close.
- Keep valuables zipped away, as at any busy event.
- Book riverside dinners early. River-view restaurants and dinner cruises sell out for the night. For ideas, see date night in Bangkok.
A Note From NaJade
I have played a few Loy Krathong nights at riverside venues, and the best moment is always just before the set — standing at the edge of the pier, watching hundreds of tiny candles drift past under the full moon. Bangkok is loud almost every night of the year. This is the night it whispers. If you are visiting in late November, build your evening around it: float a krathong with someone you care about, eat something from a street stall, and only then go out. And please, buy the banana-leaf one. The river has enough foam already.
More: the best time to visit Bangkok, things to do in Bangkok, is Bangkok safe?, and Thai etiquette for visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Loy Krathong 2026?
Is Loy Krathong a public holiday in Thailand?
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About the Author
NaJade is a Bangkok-based DJ playing progressive house, melodic EDM, pop, and Thai music across clubs, rooftops, and weddings in Thailand — and has lived in the city long enough to have made every one of these mistakes at least once. Find him on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
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