Loy Krathong , November 11th, this year, is one of the most important festivals in Thailand and although it is not in Bangkok that the most famous celebrations take place, here are the main events, animations and some tips to celebrate Loy Krathong in the Thai capital city.
Festival near Khao San Road
After not being held for 2 years, the festival organized by the Tourist Authority of Thailand in the charming Santi Chai Prakan Park near Khao San returns this year.
It will be held from November 9th to 11th each evening from 4pm to midnight.
You will learn more about the tradition of this festival that goes back to the period when Sukhothai was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam. There will also be workshops to make your own krathong (small raft that people release on the rivers’ courses), fruit sculpture demonstration workshops, food and drink stands, traditional dance and music…
BANGKOK RIVER FESTIVAL
Another major annual event taking place in Bangkok for Loy Krathong is the River Festival. It will be held from 9th to 11th November 2019 from 5 pm to 10.30 pm.
Like every year, the Bangkok River Festival will highlight the Chao Phraya River that flows through the Thai capital with entertainment and festivities at 10 locations:
- at Wat Arun
- at Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha Temple)
- at Wat Rakhang Pier
- at the Asian The Riverfront
- at Yodpiman River Walk
- at Tha Maharaj
- at Wat Prayoon
- at Wat Kalayanamitra
- at Lhong 1919
- at Iconsiam
WHERE TO CELEBRATE LOY KRATHONG IN BANGKOK?
In Bangkok, Chao Phraya is the center of Loy Krathong festival. Like every year, the Rama VIII bridge will probably be the place that will attract the most people to drop their krathongs on the Chao Phraya River. The Nakarapirom Park in front of Wat Arun will also be very popular because offers a nice view with the temple illuminated in the background.
Phadung Krung Kasem Canal along Hua Lamphong Station, Rama VIII and Rama IX bridges and Lumpini Park complete the list of the 6 most popular places that night.
IconSiam, a titanic shopping center that opened a few months ago on the banks of the Chao Phraya River will also have its Loy Krathong celebrations as well as the Asian Riverfront (they both participate in the River Festival mentioned above).
New place for Loy Krathong in Bangkok last year, the Klong Ong An of Saphan Damrong Sathit Bridge near Charoenkrung Road to Saphan Phanuphan Bridge near Yaowarat Road is expected to attract many people again.
Otherwise, there will be about thirty public parks in Bangkok that will be exceptionally be open on the evening of November 11, 2019:
- Lumpini Park,
- Chatuchak Park
- Wachirabenchatat Park (Rot Fai Park), Chatuchak
- Phra Nakhon Park, Lad Krabang District
- Her Majesty the Queen’s 60th Birthday Park, Lad Krabang District
- Saranrom Park, Phra Nakhon
- Rommaninat Park, Phra Nakhon
- Santichaiprakan Public Park, Phra Nakhon
- Nakarapirom Park, Phra Nakhon
- Thonburirom Park, Tung Kru District
- Seri Thai Park, Bueng Kum District
- Nawamin Pirom Park, Bueng Kum District
- Nong Chok Park, Nong Chok District
- Benchasiri Park, Khlong Toei area
- Bueng Krathiam Park, Min Buri District
- Public Park in Commemoration of The King’s 6th Birth Cycle, Bang Kho Laem District
- Santiphap Park, Ratchathewi District
- Indra Ram Sports Park, Bang Khen District
- Rommani Thungsikan Park, Don Mueang District
- Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 50th Birthday Park, Prawet District
- Wanadharm Park, Prawet District
- Thawiwanarom Park, Thawi Watthana District
- Benchakitti Park, Khlong Toei area
- Suan Luang Rama Park VIII, Bang Phlat District
- Bueng Nam Lat Phrao Public Park, Lat Phrao District
- Sirindhra Botanical Garden, Bangkok Noi
- Public Park in HM King’s Commemoration of 80 Birthday, Bangkok Noi District
- Public Park in Commemoration of HM the King’s 80 Birthday, Sathorn
NO SKY LANTERNS IN BANGKOK
Often, people associate Loy Krathong with the thousands of lanterns released in the sky but the tradition of this festival is to deposit the famous krathongs on the rivers ad ponds, the sky lanterns are a tradition of the Yee Peng Festival which take place in Northern Thailand at the same time, which probably explains the confusion.
It has been 5 years now that sky lanterns are banned in Bangkok.
