One of Thailand’s most popular and most visually stunning annual festivals, Loy Krathong is celebrated during the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. This year the festival is on Monday, 27 November.
Also known as the “Festival of Lights” and the floating lantern festival, Loy Krathong sees people everywhere gather in the evening at lakes, rivers, canals, and beaches to participate in the celebrations and pay respect to the goddess of water. Here are some of the notable Loy Krathong celebrations taking place this year:
– Loy Krathong and Candle Festival, on 18-27 November, at Sukhothai Historical Park in Sukhothai province;
– Yi Peng Festival, on 26-28 November, around Chiang Mai municipal areas in Chiang Mai;
– Somma Nam Khuen Peng Seng Prathip Mueang Roi Et, on 26-27 November, at Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park in Roi Et;
– Pattaya Loy Krathong Festival, on 27 November, at Central Pattaya Beach in Chon Buri;
– Samui Loy Krathong Festival, on 27 November, at Wat Khongkharam and Chaweng Lake, on Ko Samui in Surat Thani;
– Bangkok Loy Krathong Festival, on 24 November – 3 December at Yodpiman Flower Market and Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, and on 27 November at Rama VIII Bridge and Wat Arun;
– Krabi Loy Krathong Festival, on 27 November, at Ao Nang and Thara Park in Krabi;
– Ayutthaya Loy Krathong Festival, on 26-27 November at Watsamruan, Ayutthaya.
For more Loy Krathong celebrations taking place this year, please visit the website of Authority Tourism of Thailand on www.tatnews.org. (TAT)
