Loy Krathong, one of the most fascinating water-based cultural events in Thailand, returns once again on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, which this year falls on Friday, 15 November, when various fun-filled activities are organized to celebrate this impressive festival.

The Loy Krathong Festival takes place all over Thailand. In many places, the festival lasts a few days, but the highlight is on the full moon night. The Government invites both Thais and foreigners to join this festival, under the concept of preserving Thai culture, protecting the environment, and ensuring safety. 

The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) is also organizing a three-day fair to celebrate Loy Krathong on 13-15 November, from 15.30 hr onward at the PRD headquarters on Rama VI Road in Bangkok. PRD has organized this event for many consecutive years to sustain the inheritance of Thai culture. The event also features cultural performances, a bazaar of local products, and a food fair.

In the flood season when this festival takes place, people who depend on waterways for their cultivation will place a krathong, which is a small or large float containing coins, incense, candles, and flowers on the water. The floating of krathong is meant to show gratitude to the Goddess of Water for giving water and helping make the soil fertile and to seek pardon from the Goddess of Water for their sins in polluting the water. 

Loy Krathong celebrants have been urged to use krathong made from natural products, such as banana leaves and stalks, in order to reduce water pollution. On this occasion, many people believe that the float can carry away sins, misfortunes, and sickness.

Loy Krathong was announced as an item on the list of national intangible cultural heritage in 2011, in the category of social practices, rituals, customs, and festivals. Thailand is preparing to propose the inscription of the Loy Krathong Festival on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Loy Krathong has been included in the project “Thailand Winter Festivals,” aimed at upgrading the country’s major festivals to the global level. Various relevant government agencies and private organizations are also joining hands in upgrading Loy Krathong as a world event to make Thai culture and “soft power” better known worldwide and attract more international tourist arrivals.