Airbnb Travel Guide: Where to Celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand in 2023

The Land of Smiles will light up quite literally this month, as the Festival of Lights, also known as Loy Krathong, will take place on Nov. 27. If you’re planning to explore Thailand on this date, Airbnb shares some of the best destinations across the country that you should visit during this festive season!

According to Airbnb, the best cities to visit during Loy Krathong are Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Krabi, and Koh Pha Ngan. These areas will come alive with illuminated temples, paper lanterns, and joyful ceremonies.

At Thailand’s capital, you can flock over to the Chao Phraya River and float your lanterns and rafts against the majestic background of the Wat Arun Temple. You can also make your way to the Khlong Maha Nak, one of Bangkok’s oldest canals, and explore the shimmering Golden Mount Temple nearby.

Another thing to do is to stride through Chao Phraya, where an eclectic mix of historical edifices and art galleries awaits you.

A nice stroll wouldn’t be complete without munching on great bites, so make sure to try out local delicacies and staples, too, like pad thai and pad krapow at Jodd Fair and other Michelin-starred diners in the city!

Over at Chiang Mai, you can float krathongs on the Ping River and the Tha Phae Gate, or visit the Three Kings Monument, located in front of the town hall, and join in on the activities held in the venue. You can also have a bite of Chiang Mai’s local delicacies, such as nam ngiao, khao soi, and sai oua.

Meanwhile, Phuket offers tourists cool experiences with its island-style vibe. With over 30 beaches, Phuket has a lot of areas where you can float krathongs. There are also lots of less-crowded spots you can explore, such as Suan Luang Park, Sapan Hin Lake, Nai Harn Lake, and Bang-Ma-Ruan Lake.

With its abundance of bodies of water, you can’t, of course, miss the island’s freshest seafood. Some dishes you should try are the sour and spicy soup kaeng som, the sweet and flavourful massaman, and the spicy curry kaeng tai pla.

Airbnb also recommends some of the best hotels and accommodations that you can book while exploring Thailand during Loy Krathong. Some of them are the Bohemian Home in Chiang Mai, located near Tha Phae Gate and Warorot market; the Antique Colonial Luang Prasit Canal Home in Bangkok, located near Yai Canal; and the Pangolin Villa, located near the Nai Thon and Nai Yang beaches.

Thailand’s Loy Krathong is celebrated every year to honour water goddess Phrae Mae Khongkha. During the festival, millions of Thais and tourists float little rafts on bodies of water, which are believed to carry everyone’s hopes, wishes, and gratitude, and represent welcoming the new year.