Information about Loy Krathong: Loy Krathong is one of Thailand's most famous and arguably most beautiful festivals. Along with Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, and Asahna Bucha, it is one of the four major Buddhist festivals in the Buddhist calendar. Loy Krathong, also known as the Festival of Lights, combines tradition, spirituality, and visual beauty and takes place on a different date each year: the day of the full moon in the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. This usually corresponds to November. The most important custom of Loy Krathong is the floating of krathongs, small, handcrafted rafts made from banana trunks and leaves (although there are also krathongs made from industrially manufactured materials or plastic, these should be avoided as they pollute the rivers much more). Most visitors buy krathongs, but there are also families who make their own. On the evening of Loy Krathong, Thais go to the water – be it rivers, lakes, ponds, or even the sea – and set their small floats afloat, each carrying a candle and three incense sticks (sometimes coins as well), while making a wish. It is a symbolic act of liberation from past worries and sins, and also a sign of future prosperity. Loy Krathong is often associated with the release of sky lanterns, known as Khom Loi, but this is actually a tradition of the Yee Peng Festival, which takes place at the same time in Chiang Mai, and not a Loy Krathong tradition. The practice is now banned almost everywhere else in Thailand and is strictly regulated in Chiang Mai. Large, simultaneous sky lantern events still take place there, organized by private groups with very high entrance fees. Where is the best place to celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand? Thailand's largest Loy Krathong festival takes place in Sukhothai. Over a week before the actual festival day, the historic park, with its beautifully illuminated, UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments, opens for a grand event. The program includes dance performances, traditional martial arts and mask theater, a large market with regional specialties, concerts, and two large sound and light shows, one of which is free. Of course, you'll also find krathong vendors where you can watch them making them. You can buy krathongs and place them on the park's ponds. Admission to the festival is free. Another major Loy Krathong festival in Thailand is in Chiang Mai. The city organizes large celebrations; I share the detailed schedule each year as soon as it is officially released. In my opinion, the ideal plan for celebrating Loy Krathong in Thailand is to travel to Sukhothai a few days before the festival, once it has already begun, and then be in Chiang Mai the evening before for the opening ceremony and on the day itself. There are other famous Loy Krathong festivals in Thailand, such as in Tak in the north of the country and in Samut Songkhram, opposite the floating market of Amphawa. The celebrations in Lampang or Lamphun near Chiang Mai, centered around Wat Haripunchai, are also beautiful and rarely visited by foreign tourists. In Bangkok, the festivities take place mainly in the parks and along the Chao Phraya River. I will publish a program for Bangkok as soon as the details of the celebrations are announced. [arrow_circle_right] See more festivals in Thailand

The most beautiful festivals in Thailand: Thailand is rich in traditions and hosts numerous festivals, some of which are world-famous. Loy Krathong, also known as the Festival of Lights, takes place in November and has been voted the second-best festival in the world. It is undoubtedly the most photogenic festival in Thailand. [arrow_circle_right] Discover the most beautiful festivals in Thailand

Public holidays in Thailand: The most important dates in the Buddhist calendar, the birthdays of the King and Queen, and other historically significant days are public holidays in Thailand. Banks and government offices are generally closed on these days, but public transport, shops, and restaurants are open as usual. [arrow_circle_right] See Public holidays in Thailand