The full moon festival should not be confused with the full moon parties that also take place in Thailand. While the full moon parties are held on the island of Ko Pha Ngan every month and are mostly about dancing and drinking, the full moon festival is a once-a-year celebration to give thanks and ask for wishes to be granted.


The full moon festival is also known as Loy, or Loi, Krathong festival, which literally means "floating krathong." The krathong is a small object traditionally made from banana tree leaves or banana tree bark shavings. During the festival, believers decorate the small "boats" using flowers, coins and candles, and then release them in the water after dark. This is an offering to Khongkha, the goddess of water, and also as a way to float away bad luck. Loy Krathong is a very personal holiday and each person, including children, usually releases his own krathong. Even when families go together to the water, the spirit of the holiday is about taking responsibility for your own wrongdoings against the water goddess, so you ask forgiveness just for your mistakes.


The moon festival occurs on the first evening of the full moon on the 12th lunar month. Because the date of the full moon changes from year to year, it's hard to estimate when the festival will occur. As a general rule, Loy Krathong usually falls sometime in November. In the north of Thailand -- especially in the area around Chiang Mai province -- another festival, Yee Peng, occurs at the same time as the moon festival. While Loy Krathong requires releasing small lights into the water, Yee Peng calls for releasing lanterns into the air.

How to Celebrate

Those who want to celebrate Loy Krathong head to a nearby river, canal or the ocean carrying a krathong when the sun goes down. Here, they ask the spirits of the water to take their ill fortune, troubles and pain away in their krathongs. Then, candles inside the krathongs are lighted to help the boats find their way through the waters. Finally, people release the krathongs into the water and watch as they float away. There are no specific events surrounding the release of the krathongs but in some communities people linger around the water and share conversation, food or drinks with their neighbors. In Bangkok and other big cities, fireworks go off at midnight to end the celebration.


While traditional krathongs are biodegradable and not a threat to the environment. In recent years, polystyrene foam krathongs have become available at markets and shops. This is a controversial choice because one of the main goals of Loy Krathong is to ask the water goddess' forgiveness for polluting her rivers and waterways. Releasing polystyrene foam into the water contributes to pollution and can hurt wildlife. In some areas of Thailand, the government is pushing for krathongs made of bread. These are environmentally friendly, as they disintegrate in the water and can feed birds and fish.

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