Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is promoting multiple Loi Krathong Festival 2019 celebrations in Bangkok and six unique destinations – Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Tak, Ayutthaya, Samut Songkhram and Roi Et – to celebrate one of the Kingdom’s oldest and most colourful traditions.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “Loi Krathong is among Thailand’s most impressive cultural events. It takes place during one of the best times in Thailand when there is a full moon in the sky, the weather is nice and cool, and the foliage is green from the annual rainy season.
“On the day, many Thais float their krathong down a river to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and seek forgiveness from the goddess of water for any misdeeds against her. The Festival’s popularity with overseas visitors continues to grow as tourists seek unexpected experiences in amazing Thailand.”
The full moon night of the 12th lunar month this year falls on 11 November, and TAT has planned special activities in Bangkok and six provincial locations.
The Delightful Colours of the River, Loi Krathong Festival, Bangkok
9-11 November, 2019, from 16.00 – 24.00 Hrs., at the Santi Chai Prakan Public Park, Bangkok.
Featuring Thai cultural activities that reflect the unique Thai traditions and ways of life while promoting distinctive Loi Krathong practices of different destinations around the country.
Activities and workshops include Krathong making using natural materials, Thai cooking, floral garland making, fruit carving, banana stalk carving, Khon mask making, and much more. There are also cultural performances.
Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival 2019
9-12 November, 2019, Chiang Mai
Activities:
“Tam Phang Patit Song Fa Haksa Mueang” (Light the Lanterns to Guard the City), 9-12 November, 2019, from 18.00-23.00 Hrs., at the Three Kings Monument.
Yi Peng Colourful Lanterns Show, 9-12 November, 2019, from 19.00-22.00 Hrs., around the city moat and gates.
Opening Ceremony of the Yi Peng Festival 2019, 10 November, 2019, at 18.00 Hrs., at the area in front of the Tha Phae Gate.
Yi Peng Little Boys and Girls Contest, 10 November, 2019, at 19.00 Hrs., at Chiang Mai Municipality Office.
Mister and Miss (Thephi-Thepphabut) Yi Peng Contest, 10-11 November, 2019, from 19.00-23.00 Hrs., at the area in front of the Tha Phae Gate.
Spirit House and Chedi Khao Worship Ceremony, as well as asking the Goddess of the Ping River for forgiveness, 11 November, 2019, from 08.09 – 10.30 Hrs., at the Chiang Mai Municipality Office, Wat Si Khong Pier.
Handmade Krathong Made of Banana Leaves and Fresh Flowers Contest, 11 November, 2019, from 09.00-15.00 Hrs., at the Chiang Mai Municipality Office.
Cultural Performances, 11-12 November, 2019, from 19.00-22.00 Hrs., at the Chiang Mai Municipality Office.
Releasing Lanna-style Krathong Sai, 11 November, 2019, from 19.00-22.00 Hrs., at the Ping Riverside, in front of the Chiang Mai Municipality Office.
Giant Krathong Parade Contest, 12 November, 2019, from 19.00-23.00 Hrs., from the area in front of the Tha Phae Gate to the Chiang Mai Municipality Office.
Fireworks Display, 12 November, 2019, from 19.30 Hrs. and 21.30 Hrs., at the Ping Riverside, in front of the Chiang Mai Municipality Office.
Suep Hit San Hoi Hom Poi and Revering Phra Siri Mangkhalachan, 10-12 November, 2019, from 10.00-23.00 Hrs., at the Chiang Mai Religion Practice Centre.
Listening to Sermons and Lighting Lanterns to Revere Phra Chedi, 10-12 November, 2019, from 09.00-22.00 Hrs., at Wat Lok Moli.
Music for Creativity, Culture for Happiness, 10-12 November, 2019, from 18.00-24.00 Hrs., in front of the First Church of Chiang Mai – close to the Nawarat Bridge.
Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival 2019
2-11 November, 2019, at the Sukhothai Historical Park
Daily activities:
Ceremony to Welcome the Dawn of Happiness – offering dried food to Buddhist monks, at 05.55 Hrs., at Saphan Bun, Wat Traphang Thong.
Exhibition at Lan Pho, at the back of Wat Chana Songkhram.
Lan Thet Lan Tham (Sermon of the Great Birth), at 13.00 Hrs., at Dong Tan.
Talat Laek Bia (the ancient market of the Sukhothai Era), Folk Sports Show, Sword and Staff Fighting Show, Thread-wound Fist Thai Boxing Show, at 16.00 Hrs., at Sala Si Lang (The Four Pavilions).
Traditional Thai Music Performance, at 17.00 Hrs., at Wat Chana Songkhram (on the Khon performance stage).
Khao Khwan Wan Len Fai (Sukhothai Gala Dinner), at 17.30 Hrs., at the area in front of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai Historical Park.
Light and Sound Performance, at 19.30 Hrs., at Wat Maha That.
Khon Performance, Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Show, Lakhon Nok (play performed by males), and Lakhon Nai (play performed by females), at 20.30 Hrs., at Wat Chana Songkhram.
Fireworks Display, at 20.30 Hrs., at the pond of Wat Sa Si (Traphang Trakuan).
The Legend of Thao Si Chulalak Performance, at 22.30 Hrs., at the pond of Wat Sa Si (Traphang Trakuan).
Fireworks Display, at 23.00 Hrs., at the pond of Wat Sa Si (Traphang Trakuan).
On 11 November, 2019 (Loi Krathong Day), more activities are available:
- Procession around Sukhothai City to invite the Royal Inauguration Flame and Lanterns, at 20.00 Hrs., (procession assembles at 14.00 Hrs.)
- Royal Procession, Tradition and Culture Processions of 9 districts, and a Procession of Nang Nopphamat.
- Floating the Royal Krathong and Lantern by the Chairman of the Ceremony to mark the auspicious occasion, at 23.00 Hrs., at the pond of Wat Sa Si (Traphang Trakuan).
Loi Krathong Sai Festival and a Thousand Floating Lanterns 2019, Tak
9-13 November, 2019, at Lan Krathong Sai by the Ping Riverside, at the foot of the Somphot Krung Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi Bridge, Tak
Activities:
Preparation to invite the Royal Inauguration Krathong, Krathong Sai Procession, and seven threads of the Krathong Sai Processions, at 17.00 Hrs., at the area in front of the Shrine of King Taksin the Great.
Releasing of the nine Royal Inauguration Krathongs and Lanterns, each from His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn and the other eight members of the Royal Family, Krathong Sai Boat Procession, and 7 threads of the Krathong Sai Processions, at 18.30 Hrs., at the area in front of the Shrine of King Taksin the Great
Ceremony to Invite the Royal Inauguration Krathongs and Lanterns to be housed at the stage in the middle of the Ping River, on 9 November, 2019, at 21.00 Hrs.
The Opening Ceremony & the Floating of the Loi Krathong Sai Festival and a Thousand Floating Lanterns 2019, on 9 November, 2019, at Lan Krathong Sai by the Ping Riverside, at the foot of the Somphot Krung Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi Bridge.
Experience traditional food for dinner, on 10 – 13 November, 18.30 Hrs. onwards, at Lan Krathong Sai by the Ping Riverside, at the foot of the Somphot Krung Rattanakosin Song Roi Pi Bridge.
Ayutthaya Loi Krathong 2019
1: Loi Krathong Tam Prathip 2019 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Loi Krathong Festival 2019), on 11 November, 2019, at Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, Ayutthaya. Activities: float krathongs on the Chao Phraya River.
2: Loi Krathong Krung Kao Festival, on 11 November, 2019, at four corners of the Ayutthaya City Island – under the Pridi-Thamrong Bridge, Chedi Si Suriyothai in front of Chankrasem Palace, Pomphet, and the Monument of King Naresuan the Great at theThung Phu Khao Thong area. Activities: Krathong contest, Nopphamat beauty contest and performances on stage.
3: Loi Krathong Talapat Festival throwing back to the past to join the full moon bathing ceremony, on 11 November, 2019, at Sam Ruean Sub-district Administrative Organisation Office, Bang Pa-in District. Activities: krathong making workshop, handing out Krathong Talapat, and full moon bathing ceremony.
Loi Krathong Kap Kluai Mae Klong Festival 2019, Samut Songkhram
11-12 November, 2019: on 11 November, 2019, at Wat Phummarin Kudi Thong and on 12 November, 2019, – at King Rama II Memorial Park.
Activities: Floating of 200,000 Krathongs Kap Kluai (banana leaf-sheath krathongs), Krathongs and Illuminated Boats Contest for the King’s Royal Trophy, Mother-Daughter Noppamat Beauty Contest, cultural performances, and workshop on Krathong Kap Kluai making, banana stalk carving, pandan leaves folding, coconut leaves weaving, and more.
Somma Nam Khuen Pheng Seng Prathip 2019 (Roi Et Loi Krathong Festival 2019)
10-11 November, 2019, at Somdet Phra Si Nakarin Public Park and Bueng Phlan Chai, Roi Et
Activities: Ceremony to Pay Homage to the City’s Sacred Spirits, Krathong and Giant Lantern Contest, Environmentally-Friendly Krathong Contest, Thida Saket Nakhon Beauty Contest, Somma Nam Khuen Pheng Seng Prathip Thai Folk…
