One November full moon, the whole country sets light to the water — and in the North, to the sky. Here’s what Loi Krathong and Yi Peng mean, when they fall, where to celebrate, the eco-krathong and lantern rules that now apply, and how to enjoy the night safely.
Loi Krathong falls on the twelfth-lunar-month full moon — usually November — so the date moves every year; confirm the current calendar before booking. It is a cultural festival, not a public holiday. Sky-lantern (Yi Peng) releases are now tightly regulated and only legal in designated zones, and many cities restrict non-biodegradable krathongs — follow local rules.
On the full-moon night of the twelfth lunar month, Thais float small decorated rafts — krathongs — on rivers, canals, ponds and the sea. The act pays respect to the water goddess, gives thanks for the year’s water, and symbolically carries away the past year’s bad luck and grudges; a candle, incense, a coin and a wish go with each one. It is a calm, reflective festival far more than a party. In the North, the Lanna tradition of Yi Peng overlaps the same nights, when paper sky lanterns (khom loi) are released in their thousands — which is why Chiang Mai’s celebration is the one you see in photographs. Across most of Thailand, though, the festival lives on the water, not in the air.
Loi Krathong tracks the lunar calendar — the full moon of the twelfth Thai month — which almost always lands in November, occasionally slipping to very late October or early December. There is no fixed Gregorian date, so pencil in “mid-to-late November” when planning a year ahead and confirm the exact night once it’s published. Because it’s one of the biggest domestic-travel nights of the year, rooms in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai and other hotspots sell out months in advance and transport fills up. Note it is not an official public holiday — banks and offices open as normal the next morning — so you don’t get a day off to recover. See our public holidays guide for what actually closes during the year.
Floating krathongs along the Chao Phraya, at Asiatique, Wat Arun, riverside hotels and in park ponds like Lumphini and Benjakitti. Easy to join for an evening without travelling far; expect crowds at the popular piers and book riverside dinners ahead.
The North celebrates Yi Peng alongside Loi Krathong — thousands of paper sky lanterns (khom loi), a river parade and lantern-lined streets around the old city and Ping River. The most photographed version of the festival; mass lantern releases are now tightly regulated and often ticketed.
Widely regarded as the festival's spiritual home, with a sound-and-light show among the ruins of the old capital and krathongs floated across the historic ponds. A more cultural, less party-driven experience — plan accommodation early as the small town fills up.
Krathongs floated around the temple ruins and waterways of the former capital, an easy train or van trip north of Bangkok. A quieter heritage alternative to the big-city or Chiang Mai crowds.
Krathongs released into the sea and along beaches and lagoons. Coastal releases raise extra marine-litter concerns, so many resorts now run organised, clean-up-included floats with biodegradable krathongs.
Cities clear hundreds of thousands of krathongs from the water the morning after, so what yours is made of matters. Choose one built entirely from natural, biodegradable materials — banana trunk or leaves, flowers, and a candle pinned with wood rather than metal staples — and avoid styrofoam, plastic and foam, which are now banned or discouraged in many places. Skip bread-based krathongs in small or enclosed ponds, where they foul the water. Float one krathong per group rather than one each, keep candles and incense modest, and where you can join an organised release that collects the rafts afterwards. Coastal and sea releases add marine-litter concerns, so many resorts now run clean-up-included floats with fully biodegradable krathongs.
Sky-lantern releases are no longer a free-for-all. They’re restricted around airports and flight paths and are only legal in designated areas and time windows — mainly in the North — with flights routinely rescheduled around the festival; releasing a khom loi near Chiang Mai, Bangkok or any airport is illegal and dangerous. On the ground, riverbanks, piers and pond edges get dark, crowded and slippery, so watch children near the water and don’t lean out to launch your krathong. Open candles, incense and paper lanterns are fire risks in a crush — keep them clear of hair and clothing. Plan your route home before you go, expect packed transport at the major sites, and mind your belongings in the crowds. If you’re tempted to fly a drone for photos, check our drone-law guide first — festival airspace is especially sensitive.
It’s a night-time, low-light scene built around candle flames, lanterns and reflections on water, so a phone in night mode or a camera you can steady will do far more than flash — which just flattens the glow. Brace against a railing or use a small tripod where crowds allow, expose for the lights rather than the dark, and shoot early in the evening for blue-hour colour behind the flames. The reflections of krathongs and lanterns on still water are the signature shot. Be respectful: this is a sacred, reflective occasion for many, so don’t crowd people mid-ritual, ask before close portraits, and read the room — see our Thai etiquette and temple etiquette guides.
From Chao Phraya riverside towers to the canals of the North, where you live shapes how you experience nights like Loi Krathong. Browse residences and find a neighbourhood that fits your Thailand.
General information only — not legal advice. Loi Krathong’s date moves with the lunar calendar each year, and rules on sky lanterns, krathong materials and designated release areas change and vary by locality — confirm the current date and local regulations before you travel or celebrate. Always respect Thai religious and cultural observances. Hero image via Pexels.