6 Thai Destinations to Celebrate Loy Krathong Festival
Loy Krathong is undoubtedly one of the most famous festivals celebrated nationwide in Thailand. This year the festival will be held on Friday 3rd of November, 2017. In celebration of this beautiful full-moon night of the twelfth lunar month, Booking.com, the global leader in connecting people with the widest selection of incredible places to stay, reveals 6 destinations for you to experience Loy Krathong festival and pay respect to the water spirits in various provinces around Thailand.
Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the destinations which grandly celebrates the festival. Aside from releasing Krathongs, you can explore a famous ‘Temple Fair’ which takes place at Golden Mountain Temple (also known as Wat Saket). It is believed to be the origin of the temple fair in Thailand. This local fair boasts an incredible array of food stalls, entertaining traditional games and marvellous performances like Thai dancing. Alternatively, you can watch the fireworks from popular attractions near the Chao Phraya River like Asiatique The Riverfront, Rama VIII Bridge, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and more.
Where to stay: Riva Surya Bangkok - Located on the charming Phra Arthit Road, Riva Surya Bangkok offers stylish air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. The property is in a walking distance to Khao San Road and the Bangkok National Museum. Guests can also enjoy the stunning views of the Chao Phraya River from the restaurant on site while having diverse and delectable authentic Thai, Asian and European cuisines.
Chiang Mai
Located in the North of Thailand, Chiang Mai was originally the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. The Loy Krathong celebration here is known as 'Yee Peng', meaning the full moon of the second month in the Lanna lunar calendar. During the festival, locals would decorate their houses and temples with beautifully illuminated lanterns, and lighten small baked clay candles to worship the ‘Three Gems’ of Buddhism, namely, the Buddha, his teachings, and the Buddhist clergy. The highlight which draws people from around the world is launching the floating lanterns into the night sky.
Where to stay: The Empress Hotel - The Empress Hotel enjoys a quiet location in Chiang Mai, yet is a convenient 10-minute walk from the Night Bazaar. It has an outdoor pool, massage parlour, and two restaurants. Furnished in a modern Asian style, rooms feature a seating area by a floor-to-ceiling window.
Phayao
A small province located in the North of the country, Phayao is a quiet yet attractive town. Travellers can release Krathongs onto the water at Kwan Phayao, a vast wetland which is one of the most popular attractions you can’t miss, float lanterns into the sky, watch the lantern parade competition, and enjoy traditional dancing and music performances.
Where to stay: The Cozy Nest Boutique Rooms - Featuring free WiFi and a terrace, The Cozy Nest Boutique Rooms offers accommodation in Phayao. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free use of bicycles is available at this bed and breakfast and the area is popular for cycling.
Sukhothai
Sukhothai was once the capital of Thailand and ancient ruins still remain to be seen around the city. If you seek for authentic Loy Krathong experience, Sukhothai is the place you are looking for. Every year, the main venue of the celebration is the Sukhothai Historical Park, one of Thailand’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where the ancient temple ruins are combined with colourful lights and the old market that will take you back to the former capital’s heyday. At night you can watch a theatrical light show telling the story of this charming Heritage city and the history of Loy Krathong festival.
Where to stay: Legendha Sukhothai Hotel - Legendha Sukhothai Hotel is located on the bank of Mae Rampan Canal, just 10 minutes’ walk to Sukhothai Historic Park. It offers spacious rooms with traditional Thai furnishings and teak wood furniture. The Legendha Hotel is ideally located for exploring Sukhothai Historical Park and natural surroundings.
Tak
Bordered on the west by Myanmar, Tak is a province in Northern Thailand. Its Loy Krathong festival is known as Loy Krathong Sai, literally meaning ‘floating Krathongs in line’. Take this opportunity to admire thousands of Krathongs sailing down the Ping River in a candlelit chain, making the whole river sparkling with light. What's unique about the Krathongs made here is that, instead of using banana trunks as the main material for Krathongs, the locals use coconut shells and sometimes decorate them with flowers. Both riverbanks bustle with a crowd, some dancing and some playing music.
Where to stay: Sleep Nest Hotel - Featuring free Wi-Fi, a barbecue and a sun terrace, Sleep Nest Hotel offers accommodation in Mae Sot. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Bike hire is available at this property and the area is popular for cycling and hiking.
Koh Pha-ngan
Located in the South of Thailand, the island of Koh Pha-ngan has become a world-famous destination for Full Moon Party. Take this opportunity to explore new places to float Krathongs and hit the party till dawn in the same trip. Here in Koh Pha-ngan, you can experience both releasing Krathongs onto the sea and floating the sky lanterns into the sky, before heading to the beach for the party.
Where to stay: Cocohut Beach Resort & Spa - This property is a 1-minute walk from Leela Beach. Cocohut Beach Resort offers rooms with private balconies and cable TVs. It features an outdoor pool and free transfers from Haad Rin Pier. Cocohut Beach Resort is a 5-minute drive from Haad Rin Beach, where the famous Full Moon Parties take place monthly.