Loy Krathong is one of the gentlest, prettiest nights of the Thai year, and this year it falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the night of the full moon in the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. If you're staying with us in late November, it's worth planning your evening around it.
What happens on the night
As the sun goes down, families, couples and groups of friends head to the nearest water with a krathong: a small floating basket, traditionally made from a slice of banana trunk and folded banana leaves, decorated with flowers, a candle and three incense sticks. You light the candle, make a wish or let go of something from the past year, and set it on the water.
In Phuket the festival happens on the water rather than in the sky. The famous photos of thousands of lanterns rising into the night are from Yi Peng in the north, around Chiang Mai. Here, it's the sea, lakes, lagoons and even hotel swimming pools that fill with tiny lights.
Buying a krathong
You'll find stalls selling krathong along beach roads and outside markets from the afternoon. A simple one usually costs somewhere around 40 to 100 baht, with bigger, more elaborate designs costing more. If you have a choice, pick one made from banana trunk, leaves or bread rather than foam. They break down in the water and are kinder to the sea.
Making your own is a lovely thing to do with children. Some resorts and community events run krathong-making sessions in the days before, so keep an eye out locally.
Where to go near our homes
You don't need to travel far. Any calm stretch of water works, and the beaches nearest our homes are good spots for an unhurried evening.
- Bang Tao and Laguna. The long, open beach at Bang Tao gives everyone room to spread out, and the calm lagoons inside Laguna are a peaceful alternative if the sea is lively. Angsana Lakeside Suite looks straight over the lagoon, so you can watch the lights drift past from your own balcony.
- Kamala. A smaller, more local feel, with families gathering along the beach. Kamala Falls Skyline Penthouse has its own pool deck if you'd rather float a krathong at home and watch the bay.
- Your own pool. Floating a krathong in a private pool is a long-standing tradition. At a villa such as Nicky Private Haven, it's an easy way to mark the night with young children.
A few tips for the evening
- Go around dusk. The atmosphere builds as it gets dark and the moon rises.
- Bring a lighter. The breeze off the sea makes candles fiddly.
- Take care near the water's edge in the dark, especially with children.
- Expect the beach roads to be busier than usual from early evening.
Late November also sits right at the start of high season, so the weather is usually settling and the sea calming down. If you're thinking of a trip around the full moon, check dates early. Use the date search on our homepage to see which homes are still open for that week.
