Thailand Winter Festival Begins with TAT’s Spectacular Loi Krathong Kickoff

Monday, November 27, 2023

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) extends an invitation to everyone to partake in one of Thailand’s ancient and vibrant festivals. This offers a chance to delve into the enchanting traditions of Chiang Mai, Roi Et, Samut Songkhram, Sukhothai, and Tak during the Loi Krathong Festival 2023, taking place at Bangkok’s Phadung Krung Kasem Canal.

Ms. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports said, “This year festivity is especially important as it marks the start of the Thailand Winter Festival and the Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival, the grand year-end spectacles announced by the Thai government to promote Thai soft powers and elevating national events and festivals on the global stage.”

The annual Loi Krathong celebration in Thailand, occurring on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (this year on 27 November), brings people together nationwide at lakes, rivers, canals, and beaches. Participants float krathong, which are banana leaf rafts adorned with flowers, incense, and candles, as a gesture of reverence to the river goddess. TAT is organizing the Loi Krathong Festival at the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, near the Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong), extending the festivities until 28 November. The main activities are scheduled for 25-27 November from 16:00 to 21:00 Hrs. and will continue until midnight on the full moon night.

Mr. Apichai Chatchalermkit, TAT Deputy Governor of Tourism Products and Business, said “Under the ‘Moonlight Reflection Loi Krathong Along the Canal’ concept, this year event promises to delight visitors with the nightly ‘Lighting Illumination Show’ to highlight the five distinctive Loi Krathong traditions. These are the Yi Peng Festival of Chiang Mai, Somma Nam Khuen Peng Seng Prathip of Roi Et, Loi Krathong Kap Kluai Mae Klong of Samut Songkhram, Loi Krathong and Candle Festival of Sukhothai, and Loi Krathong Sai Festival and a Thousand Floating Lanterns of Tak.”

Nightly activities promoting Thai cultural values during the Loi Krathong Festival 2023 include biodegradable krathong-making workshops, Royal Thai Cuisine cooking stations, music performances, cultural dances, and floating krathongs on the Canal. TAT encourages the use of eco-friendly krathongs and limits floating to one per family across Thailand, supporting sustainable tourism efforts. In Bangkok, a zero-landfills concept is emphasized through proper waste separation and disposal.

The festival is anticipated to boost domestic tourism, generating an estimated 2.04 million trips and 6.1 billion Baht in revenue. Festivities in Chiang Mai, Roi Et, Samut Songkhram, Sukhothai, and Tak are expected to contribute 527,070 trips, totaling 1.76 billion Baht.

« Back to Page