Visitors traveling to Thailand go there for a variety of reasons from enjoying the amazing beaches to visiting the elephant sanctuaries. There are lantern festivals which are known as Loi Krathong and Yi Peng that is celebrated throughout Thailand but the best one is in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. So when is the Lantern Festival In Thailand?

The lantern festival is held throughout Thailand which is held on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, as a result, the exact date of the festival changes every year. For those who use a Western calendar, this normally falls in the month of November, take or give a few days.

In this post, we will go through when is the Lantern Festival in Thailand. So let’s get started!

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When Is The Lantern Festival In Thailand?

Loi Krathong is the floating lantern festival while Yi Peng is the sky lantern festival both take place on the same day. With the Yi Peng going on for a few days.

The exact date varies from to year. The festival is held on the evening of the full moon on the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. For those who use a Western calendar, this normally falls in the month of November.

Where Is The Lantern Festival In Thailand?

These lantern festivals are held throughout Thailand as well as in neighboring countries like Laos but from the point of view of tourists to Thailand, the best place to enjoy the lantern festival is in Chiang Mai but it can be enjoyed in other places such as Bangkok and Phuket.

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What Is Yi Peng In Thailand?

The Yi Peng festival is held over a few days when lanterns are launched into the night sky. This is the most recognizable lantern festival in Thailand. Where Yi means ‘two’ while peng translates to ‘full moon day’.

The lanterns are a small hot air balloon made of paper that has an opening at the bottom where a small fire is held.

What Is Loi Krathong In Thailand?

Loi means to float in Thai. Krathong is traditionally a small vessel or lamp which is made to hold a small gift like a candle or food. When you put the words together, those two words simply mean floating lamp festival. This is the Water Lantern Festival.

Krathong is a floating container that is normally made from banana tree leaves that holds a small portion of gifts like a traditional Thai dish.

Why Is The Lantern Festival Celebrated In Thailand?

The floating lantern festival (Loi Krathong) is a celebration to thank the Goddess of Water. And also to ask for forgiveness for any contamination of the waterways over the previous year.

While Yi Peng is more about wishing for good luck and good fortune in the coming year and releasing negative energy.

Wrapping Up

Finally, the lantern festival is held throughout Thailand which is held on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, as a result, the exact date of the festival changes every year. For those who use a Western calendar, this normally falls in November.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on when is the Lantern Festival in Thailand has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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Lantern Festival In Thailand