Loy Krathong Festival: Traditions, Features and Events in 2025

What is Loy Krathong - the Thai festival of lights. History, traditions, how tourists can participate and where in Phuket in 2025 the main events will take place. Magical atmosphere and tips for preparation.
Loy Krathong is the most beautiful and romantic annual holiday in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. One of the most popular family holidays. It is celebrated on the day of the November full moon after sunset. In 2025, the celebration will be on November 5 in all cities and towns.
"Loy" means to float, and "krathong" is a boat made of banana leaves, flowers and decorated with candles and incense. Nowadays, such boats are also made of bread so as not to harm the environment. You can make a krathong yourself or buy it from merchants - the cost depends on the size and complexity of the product.
When darkness falls, all residents go to the lakes to launch these boats into the water and release all the negativity with them into the past. A lit candle symbolizes the light of Buddha's teaching, and the ritual itself is cleansing from grievances, failures, bad thoughts and the opportunity to start life with a clean slate. In addition, in this way, locals pay tribute to the Goddess of Water. It is believed that after the Loy Krathong holiday, the rainy season ends in Phuket and the "high" season begins.
Thais put cut nails and a small tuft of hair into the krathong – as a symbol of the “bad self”, and all the bad will go into the water along with the krathong. Before immersing it in the water, it is customary to make the brightest wishes concerning family and love.
Sometimes you can see not only boats, but also lanterns, which also fly towards cherished desires. But in many areas, the launch of lanterns is prohibited and stands warn of administrative liability for violating the ban.
It is believed that all wishes made during this holiday will definitely come true. Therefore, I recommend not to miss it if you find yourself in Phuket on this magical night.
Where will the main events take place in 2025:
- Karon - by the lake in the northern part of the beach;
- Nai Harn Lake;
- Chalong - near the dam, lake near Wat Chalong temple;
- Katu - dam, fitness park and nearby mining museum;
- Bang Tao - Lagoon;
- Patong - the beach area near the police station (opposite the exit to the beach from Bangla Road)
- Phuket Town – Sapanhin and Rama IX Parks.
There will also be festivities at Rajabhat University, Bang Maruan Lake (Talang), MixMall (Rawaii), Soi Cherngtalay 4 (near Bang Tao Municipality), and Kamala Park.
Many hotels will also have festive events, the program can be clarified at the reception.
We kindly ask you not to forget about the environment and use the most environmentally friendly krathongs without metal and plastic components. In Phuket, it is forbidden to launch sky lanterns, they not only harm the environment, but can also negatively affect the navigation of aircraft and lead to fires. Violators of this ban face a hefty fine.
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