Seasonal discoveries

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is Thailand’s annual festival of floating krathong—small, decorated baskets or ritual vessels—on rivers and other waterways. Many Thai people use the act to express thanks to Khongkha, the Goddess of Water and Rivers. The tradition reflects Thailand’s layered cultural heritage, including local customs and Hindu-Brahmanical and Buddhist influences, with roots reaching back to the Angkorian period. It is held on the evening of the full moon in the twelfth month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, usually in November, so the Western date changes each year. Visitors can experience the sight of illuminated krathong drifting on the water. Check current official dates and local arrangements before travelling.