Loy Krathong is a traditional Thai festival celebrated on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, honouring water spirits and showing gratitude for the natural waterways.
Buddhists view the festival as a tribute to the Goddess Phra Mae Thorani, also originally referred to as the Goddess Khongkha (พระแม่คงคา), the Hindu goddess of water.
The festival also serves as a way to seek forgiveness for polluting the water.
During the festival people float krathong (small floats often made of leaves or other natural materials) adorned with candles, incense and flowers on rivers and other bodies of water to symbolise letting go of bad luck and seeking blessings.
The festivities, celebrated all over Thailand, include enjoying music and entertainment, and the traditional ‘Nong Noppamas’ beauty pageant, which honours the legend of Nang Noppamas, who is said to have invented the krathong.
The festival aims to promote environmental awareness. Despite years past seeing the festival blight waterways with kathong made from styrofoam, recent years have seen a shift to using eco-friendly krathong made from all-natural materials.
PHUKET TOWN
Phuket City Municipality will hold its festivities under the theme ‘Chomchan, Loy Krathong Day’, at the pond in front of the Suan Luang (Rama IX Park). starting at 6pm.
Highlights include the ‘Nong Noppamas (‘Little Noppamas’) contest, a ‘most beautiful krathong’ contest and a moon-watching activity through telescopes.
The Nong Noppamas (or ‘Noi Noppamas’) contest is for girls and will have two age categories: 4-6 years old and 7-11 years old.
The winner of each contest will receive B5,000, the runner-up will receive B3,000 and the second runner-up B2,000. The winner of the People’s Choice Award in each contest will also receive B1,000.
PATONG
Patong Municipality will hold its festivities at ‘Bangla Square’, the area on the beach next to the police box at the end of Bangla Rd, on Friday (Nov 15), starting at 6.30pm.
To promote environmental sustainability, Patong Municipality has set up a temporary pond at Bangla Square for the public to float their Krathongs, helping to preserve nature and reduce waste from the festival entering the sea.
Patong Municipality encourages attendees to wear traditional Thai clothing or fabrics to honour Thai culture and traditions of the local community.
CHERNG TALAY
Cherng Talay Municipality will hold its festivities in Soi Cherngtalay 4 (behind the municipality) on Friday (Nov 15), from 6pm to 10.30pm.
The event will feature performances by local students, a Nang Noppamas beauty contest, a variety of food vendors, and a mini-concert by artist ‘In Budokan’.
SRISOONTHORN
Srisoonthorn Municipality will hold its festivities at Bang Maruan over three days, from today through Friday (Nov 13-15), under the theme ‘See the charm under the moonlight, Pray for Loy Krathong Day at Bang Maruan’. Festivities will start at 6pm each night.
The festivities will feature concerts by popular artists Am seatwo, Sompong Wonglukklak and Ekkachai Sriwichai, a light display and fireworks show, and a ‘seven-coloured forest’ display.
In addition to the Little Noppamas contest, there will be local cooking demonstrations and over 120 local food vendors from throughout Srisoonthorn. There will also be a stage for traditional circle dancing and mortar pounding, as well as an outdoor movie screening of ‘Stories of Phuket’s Local Culture’.
THEPKRASATTRI
Thepkrasattri Municipality will hold its festivities at ‘Baan Lady Chan and Lady Muk’ (Nob Nang Dak) on Nov 14-15 under the theme ‘Walking Street and Enjoy Night Walking’.
The event is to celebrate Thai traditions, culture and wisdom by promoting important cultural activities.
On Thursday (Nov 14) visitors can enjoy performances by local students and community members, a special performance by artist Ying Thitikan, and a variety of food and Thai products.
On Friday (Nov 15) the festival will feature the Little Noppamas contest, student performances, a lively show by the Samkong Super Dance Luk Thung band, along with more food and product offerings.
KATHU
Kathu Municipality will hold its festivities at the Phuket Mining Museum over two days (Nov 14-15) under the theme ‘Loy Krathong in the Mining Era’, starting at 4pm each day.
Festivities will include ‘Music in the Park’ and a ‘Miss Noppamas’ contest to be held on Friday.
People coming to the event were advised to park at Kathu Municipality School.
KARON
Karon Municipality will hold its festivities at Nong Harn Public Park on Friday (Nov 15) under the theme ‘Conserving traditions, continuing Thai culture’, starting at 6pm.
The event is to promote national traditions, culture and wisdom, and promote important activities according to tradition, announced Karon Municipality.
Activities include a Miss Noppamas contest, a krathong contest, Thai cultural performances and “other Loy Krathong activities”.
RAWAI
Rawai Municipality has announced that it will hold its Loy Krathong festivities on Friday (Nov 15) at the traditional location, at Nai Han Lake.
While celebrating Loy Krathong at Nai Harn has been very popular over the years, Rawai Municipality has yet to announce its variety of activities to be held.
CHALONG
Chalong Municipality has announced it will be holding its festivities at Wat Chaithararam (Wat Chalong) on Friday (Nov 15) under the theme ‘Contemporary preservation of the tradition of Loy Krathong’.
The event will include watching a procession to preserve the tradition of Loy Krathong, many live stage performances, and a ‘Super Mom & Smart Kid’ contest.
“The Mother-Child Contest is a heartfelt competition where mothers and their children dress in traditional Thai costumes, showcasing their special bond and celebrating the Loy Krathong,” Chalong Municipality explained.
Meanwhile, Wat Ladthi Wanaram (Wat Tai) on Chao Fa East Rd and Palai Pier over the years have also been very popular locations for people to celebrate Loy Krathong.
WICHIT
Wichit Municipality will hold its festivities on Friday (Nov 15) at Klong Mudong, Baan Bo Rae, in Moo 6, Wichit, under the theme ‘Loy Krathong saves the world, reduces waste, reduces global warming’.
Activities include a Nang Noppamas beauty contest for ages 16-25, and a ‘Beautiful Krathong’ contest.
Wichit Municipality has asked people to avoid using krathong made from bread. “If the fish cannot eat them all, it will cause the water to become polluted.
“Avoid foam containers. They are easy to store but difficult to manage and take about 500 years to decompose, the municipality said in its announcement.
“Save and reduce pollution, reduce the size of the krathong, come together, float together, reduce waste. Let’s go together - Natural materials, use banana leaves, banana peels, or use ice cubes,” the municipality added.
RATSADA
Ratsada Municipality will hold its festivities at Phuket Rajabhat University, on Friday (Nov 15) from 5pm.
Activities include a Nang Noppamas beauty contest, a ‘most beautiful krathong’ contest, a creative krathong contest and stalls selling various products from locals.