Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November, the night of the full moon. It is one of the most beautiful nights of the year in Thailand: thousands of small lights drift across the water, and in Chiang Mai the sky fills with lanterns for Yi Peng. Here is where and how to enjoy it without getting lost in the crowds.
Loy Krathong 2026: the key dates
Loy Krathong is held on the full-moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. In 2026, that means Tuesday 24 November.
Yi Peng, the lantern festival of the North (Lanna), falls on the same full moon. In Chiang Mai, celebrations usually run over three evenings around 24 November. The city’s official programme is published a few weeks beforehand, so check it before you book.
Late November is also the start of the dry season: see the best time to visit Bangkok.
What is a krathong?
A krathong is a small round float, traditionally made from a slice of banana trunk and decorated with folded banana leaves and flowers. People add a candle, three incense sticks, and sometimes a coin, a lock of hair or a nail clipping.
It is placed on the water to thank the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, and to ask forgiveness for polluting the rivers. People also make a wish and let the year’s worries float away.
Choosing a krathong that respects the water
Polystyrene krathongs are banned in Bangkok’s parks. Choose one made from banana trunk or leaves, which breaks down quickly. Bread krathongs exist too, but the city advises against them in the parks’ closed ponds, as leftover food pollutes the water.
Good news: of more than 514,000 krathongs collected in Bangkok in 2024, around 98% were made from natural materials.
Where to float your krathong in Bangkok
Along the Chao Phraya
The river is the heart of the festival. In recent years, the Bangkok River Festival has brought several piers to life: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Tha Maharaj, ICONSIAM and Asiatique The Riverfront. Asiatique is very lively, but also very crowded.
For Asiatique, take the BTS to Saphan Taksin, then the free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier (about 10 minutes). For ICONSIAM, the Gold Line runs from Krung Thon Buri.
In the parks: Lumphini, Benjakitti and more
In 2025, the city opened 33 public parks until midnight for Loy Krathong. Lumphini (MRT Lumphini or Silom, BTS Sala Daeng) is the most central. Benjakitti, with its large lake, is a short walk from MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Benchasiri and Santichaiprakarn are other options.
Sky lanterns, fireworks, firecrackers and alcohol sales are banned in the parks. The atmosphere there is calmer and more family-friendly. To get around easily that night, read our guide to getting around Bangkok by BTS, MRT and boat.
Yi Peng in Chiang Mai: the lanterns and the rules
Yi Peng is the festival of paper lanterns, khom loi, released into the sky. In town, the highlights are the lantern decorations in the temples, the grand krathong parade from Tha Phae Gate to the city hall, and krathongs on the Ping River and the Old City moat.
Releasing a lantern: watch out for no-go zones
You cannot release a lantern wherever you like. In 2025, the authorities banned lanterns and fireworks in air-safety zones covering the whole of Mueang Chiang Mai district, Hang Dong and parts of four other districts. Offenders faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 THB. Temples such as Wat Phan Tao and Wat Chedi Luang, right in the Old City, are worth visiting for their decorative lanterns and ceremonies, not for releasing your own.
Flights are affected too: in 2025, more than 160 flights were cancelled or rescheduled at Chiang Mai, with the last departure at 7pm. Check yours.
Ticketed events
To release a lantern legally, you need to join an authorised event outside the city. Tickets often cost roughly 2,500 to 9,000 THB depending on the package, sometimes including transport and a meal (prices checked in 2026, to be confirmed). They often sell out months ahead. Buy from the official website or a reputable agency: fake tickets are around.
Mr Schaka’s practical tips
- Arrive early: around 6pm you can still find a spot by the water. After 8pm, it is a crush.
- Skip the car and taxi: roads near the river jam up. The metro and the boat are far quicker.
- Buy your krathong on the spot from street vendors, and pick a banana-leaf one.
- Keep an eye on your belongings and agree on a meeting point: the mobile network gets overloaded.
- Take care by the water: the banks are slippery and packed, so hold children’s hands.
- In Chiang Mai, book early: hotels and flights fill up months before Yi Peng.
Frequently asked questions
When is Loy Krathong 2026?
Tuesday 24 November 2026, the night of the full moon. In Chiang Mai, Yi Peng is celebrated the same night, with several evenings of festivities around it.
Can you release a lantern in Bangkok?
No. Sky lanterns are banned in Bangkok’s parks, and the city strictly controls lanterns and fireworks. In Bangkok, you float a krathong.
Do you have to pay to take part?
Not for Loy Krathong: the parks and most riverbanks are free, and you only need to buy a krathong. To release a lantern in Chiang Mai, however, you need a ticket for an authorised event.
To go further
Mr Schaka’s guidebook, Chiang Mai and the North – The Practical Guide, covers the essentials: transport, neighbourhoods, addresses, food, etiquette and safety, updated for 2026–2027.
