Lantern Festival Thailand: A Guide For Travellers 2024

Thailand Lantern Festival is referred to two different festivals, namely Loi Krathong and Yi Peng. These festivals are the most captivating festivals celebrated throughout the Country. Loy Krathong translates literally to “to float a basket”. People make small baskets, mostly from banana tree trunkas, and float them into water beds like rivers or lakes. This festival symbolizes new beginnings and good fortune in the future. Usually, the celebration takes place on the first full moon of the 12th month, according to the Thai Lunar Calendar. So, the date is not fixed. However, according to the regular calendar, most of the day falls around November.

The Yi Peng Festival is celebrated by lighting colourful lanterns and flying them in the sky. The view of thousands of lanterns in the glittering night sky gives viewers a mesmerizing view. The meaning of Yi Peng is a second full moon, and it is celebrated to welcome the cool season and the end of the spring season.

When & Where?

The Loy Krathong Lantern Festival in Thailand will be celebrated on the 15th-16th of November 2024.  It is celebrated on a full moon day every year all over Thailand and nearby countries where Thai culture is followed. You can visit Laos, Shan, Mon, Tanintharyi, Kelantan, Kedah, and Xishuangbanna.

The Yi Peng Festival will be celebrated on 15th- 16th November 2024 in Thailand’s historic city of Chiang Mai.

History And Origin of Lantern Festival Thailand

Loy Krathong is said to be rooted strongly in the Hindu and Buddhist cultures of praying gods. This festival dates back centuries to the Sukhothai Period, i.e. 1238-1438. Back then, the festival was celebrated to show gratitude towards the river goddess and pray for forgiveness for these lush waterbeds and water sources despite polluting the river. People used to follow a Brahmanic ritual to honour the goddess of the river, Mae Kongka. However, later, locals adapted Buddhism to worship.
Yi Peng originated from Chiang Mai and is known to be rooted in Lanna traditions. The main reason to celebrate is to let go of bad luck and be successful in life.

Traditions And Activities

People today not only celebrate just out of being religious but also it becomes a time for Thai people to come together and spend some time with the close ones around nature and waterbeds and pray for their good fortune and well-being.  The tradition of releasing baskets or krathongs into canals, rivers, and lakes symbolizes the appreciation of nature’s offerings. Thai people believe that by doing so, they are letting go of all the negative thoughts, anger, hatred and so on that they have been carrying throughout the year.

Preparation Of Krathongs

People make sure that they use natural sources to make Krathongs, such as banana leaves, trunks, flowers and organic candles. They are generally smaller in size and are beautiful to look at.

Releasing Krathongs

When the full moon is visible, people head towards lakes, seashores, rivers and canals. They release all the illuminated Krathongs into the water, and the whole water bed becomes enlightened by those Krathongs. Some also release personal items into the river through krathongs to let go of their sins.

Cultural Programmes & Ceremonies at Temples

Several places host musical and cultural dance events to endure the festive environment during this festival. Loy Krathong is also celebrated at the Buddhist temples in the Country. Arrangements are made for the people to enter into the water bodies during this festival and pray.

Lantern Lighting

People also perform Khom Loy, otherwise known as sky lanterns, which are released into the night sky. It is a sight to behold when thousands of lanterns are released into the night sky.

Krathong Competitions in Lantern Festival Thailand

Krathong competitions are held at some of the places in the region where people take part in creating some of the most beautiful krathongs. In addition, other activities such as boat races, lantern processions, parades, and beauty contests are also held during this festival.

Traditional Attires

Generally, people are dressed according to their culture, which makes it even more exciting to watch. Thousands of people are wearing traditional attire and celebrating the festival.

Places To Celebrate Lantern Festival Thailand

Chiang Mai

It is located in the Northern part of the Country. The Loy Krathongs and Yi Peng festivals are celebrated with the most vibes in Chiang Mai. It is a must-visit if you are looking for sky lanterns, parades, exhibitions and fireworks. The opening ceremony for the festival takes place in the Three Kings Plaza, which is decorated with beautiful hanging lanterns. If you want to witness both water and sky lanterns, then you should experience them from Tha Phae Gate. This place also hosts cultural dance shows.

Sukhothai

It is said that the Lantern Festival of Thailand originated from this very place, i.e. Sukhothai. Here, the Loy Krathong is celebrated for five long days, and you can enjoy all the cultural programmes for five days continuously.

Bangkok

People are already aware that Bangkok is filled with water beds, which makes it the prime location to float the krathongs. Some of the most anticipated locations in the city are Chao Phraya River, Lumpini Park, Benjasiri Park and so on.

Phuket

Phuket is known for its exquisite beaches, and it is a scene to behold when thousands of illuminated krathongs are released into the seashore. Some places are Patong Beach, Nai Harn Lake and Suan Luang Park.

Tips For Visitors

• Do not wear inappropriate clothes to the temples or to the place where the festival is being celebrated. Respect the culture and behave accordingly.
• If you are willing to float a Krathong, always go for an organic or biodegradable one. Avoid the krathongs made out of plastic or styrofoam.
• Walk to the events during the festival; this way, you can enjoy the cultural vibe around the streets.
• Make sure you are recording because you will miss out if you don’t.

If you are one of the tourists visiting during this festival, I would surely recommend you experience this cultural beauty. If you are travelling as a couple, you must perform the Loy Krathong, i.e. floating the basket into the water bed.
You will be enlightened by the vibe this festival gives out.