Loi Krathong

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Loi Krathong
Loi Krathong 2010 John Shedrick.jpg
Floating krathong in Chiang Mai
Official name Loi Krathong or Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง)
Observed by Thailand and Laos
Type Asian
Date Full moon of the 12th Thai month
2015 date 25 November
2016 date 15 November[1]
Frequency annual
Related to Tazaungdaing festival


Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar; hence, the exact date of the festival changes every year. In the Western calendar this usually falls in the month of November. In 2015 it will be celebrated on 25 November; in 2016 on 15 November.[1]


A hand-made krathong, made from banana tree trunk and banana leaves held together with pins, and decorated with flowers.
Fireworks and large rafts on the Chao Phraya River, Loi Krathong Festival of Light, Bangkok, Nov 2004

According to the Royal Institute Dictionary 1999, loi (ลอย) means "to float", while krathong (กระทง) has various meanings, one of which is "a basket to be floated on water in the Loi Krathong festival".[2] Several translations of krathong are found, such as "floating crown", "floating boat", "floating decoration". The traditional krathong are made from a slice of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or Styrofoam. A bread krathong will disintegrate after a few days and can be eaten by fish. Banana stalk krathong are also biodegradable, but Styrofoam krathongs are sometimes banned, as they pollute the rivers and may take years to decompose. A krathong is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, incense sticks, and a candle. A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits.




The beauty contests that accompany the festival are known as "Nopphamat Queen Contests". According to legend, Nang Nopphamat (Thai: นางนพมาศ; alternatively spelled as "Noppamas" or "Nopamas") was a consort of the 13th century Sukhothai king Sri Indraditya (who is also known as Phra Ruang) and she had been the first to float a decorated raft.[4] However, this is a new story which was invented during the first part of the 19th century. There is no evidence that a Nang Nopphamat ever existed. Instead, it is a matter of fact that a woman of this name was the leading character of a novel released at the end of the reign of King Rama III, around 1850 CE. Her character was written as guidance for all women who wished to become civil servants.


Yi Peng[edit]

Thousands of Khom Loi in Mae Cho, Chiang Mai

Loi Krathong coincides with the Lanna (northern Thai) festival known as Yi Peng (Thai: ยี่เป็ง). Yi means "two" and peng means a "full moon day". Yi Peng refers to the full moon day in the second month according to the Lanna lunar calendar (the twelfth month according to the Thai lunar calendar).[5]


Because they are a hazard to passing aircraft and "...can cause damage to important places in the areas such as the Grand Palace [sic], temples and governmental offices,..." khom loi are increasingly subject to governmental restrictions. In Bangkok in 2014, revellers are prohibited from launching floating lanterns in all event areas from 18:00 on 6 November to 05:00 the next day.[6] Violators may face execution or a life sentence or serve a lighter sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison, if damages are minor. Offenders are also guilty of violating Section 232 of the Criminal Code and that alone carries a sentence of 6 to 7 years in prison and a fine up to 1,000 to 14,000 baht.[7]





  1. ^ Alternative spellings include Loy Krathong, Loy Kratong, Loy Gratong, etc.

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