Loy Krathong (and Yi Peng in Phuket)

Experience Loy Krathong in Phuket: The Island's Most Romantic Night

Loy Krathong in Phuket is the island’s most romantic night of the year, when locals and visitors float candlelit krathong offerings on the sea, lakes, and lagoons under the full moon, often alongside sky lantern moments inspired by Northern Thailand’s Yi Peng tradition. If you want a Phuket island trip that feels cultural, photogenic, and deeply Thai, planning around Loy Krathong season in November is one of the best choices you can make.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng in Phuket: What's the Difference?

Loy Krathong is a Thai festival celebrated on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which usually falls in November. The core ritual is floating a decorated krathong, a buoyant basket or small raft with a candle and incense, on a river, canal, pond, or other waterway as a symbolic act of letting go and making wishes.

Yi Peng is the Northern Thai (Lanna) lantern festival that coincides with Loy Krathong and is associated with releasing sky lanterns (khom loi) into the air. Wikipedia notes that Yi Peng coincides with Loy Krathong and that the most elaborate Yi Peng celebrations are in Chiang Mai, where people release sky lanterns while Loy Krathong floats light the water.

In Phuket, the main event is Loy Krathong, but some beaches and gatherings may include flying lanterns, though these can be restricted for safety. Phuket101 specifically notes that flying lanterns used to fill the sky in previous years but have been limited due to safety issues, which is important if you’re traveling expecting a Chiang Mai style mass release.

When Loy Krathong is Celebrated in Phuket (Typical Month)

Loy Krathong takes place on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, usually in November, and the exact date changes every year. Phuket101 provides a clear example for planning by listing Loy Krathong Festival in Phuket as November 5, 2025, reinforcing the annual November timing even as the specific date moves.

For travel planning on Phuket island, November is a sweet spot. You get cultural nights in Phuket Town and at beaches, plus generally comfortable weather for exploring the island during the day before heading out at night for the candlelit floats.

Where to Celebrate Loy Krathong in Phuket

One of the best parts of Loy Krathong in Phuket is that you don’t need to chase one “official venue.” Phuket101 explains that in Phuket, Loy Krathong is celebrated on all beaches, at Saphan Hin Lake in Phuket Town, at Karon Lake, Nai Harn Lake, and wherever there is water, including many hotels’ swimming pools, plus piers like Rawai Pier.

That flexibility makes it ideal for island travelers who want to combine beach time with culture. You can choose a lively beach atmosphere, a more local Phuket Town park setting, or a quieter resort lagoon experience depending on your style.

Phuket Town: Saphan Hin Lake and Local Vibes

Phuket101 points to Saphan Hin Lake in Phuket Town as a key place to join Loy Krathong. If you want a more “community” feel, Phuket Town celebrations often lean into food stalls, family crowds, and a local festival mood that feels different from the beach party zones.

Beach Celebrations: Patong, Karon, Nai Harn, and More

Phuket101 states that Loy Krathong is celebrated on all beaches in Phuket. Beaches give you the classic “floating lights on the sea” moment, with the sound of waves and the full moon overhead, which is why so many visitors associate Loy Krathong in Phuket with a dreamy coastal scene.

Piers and Waterfront Points: Rawai Pier

Phuket101 also mentions that you can enjoy Loy Krathong at many piers around the island, such as Rawai Pier. If you’re staying in the south, Rawai is a strong option because it’s easy to pair with a seafood dinner and a relaxed waterfront walk.

The Meaning Behind the Floating Lights

Loy Krathong is strongly tied to gratitude and apology to the water goddess. Phuket101 explains that the festival is meant to thank and apologise to the water goddess, thanking her for supporting life year-round and saying sorry for making the water dirty.

The ritual also carries personal symbolism. Phuket101 notes that couples sometimes release a krathong together hoping they will drift away together as a sign of lasting love, and it also mentions an older tradition of putting a bit of hair or nail clippings on the krathong as a wish to carry away bad luck and illness.

What is a Krathong (and What to Buy on the Island)

A krathong is traditionally a small floating container made to hold offerings, decorated with folded leaves, incense sticks, and a candle. Wikipedia explains that traditional krathongs can be made from banana trunk slices or plant materials, and it notes that modern krathongs are sometimes made of bread, while Styrofoam versions are increasingly banned due to pollution.

Phuket101 gives direct, practical advice for Phuket visitors: buy krathongs made from banana tree slices or bread dough and avoid Styrofoam if you ever see it. This is one of the easiest ways to participate responsibly, especially on an island where ocean health matters.

Yi Peng Moments in Phuket: Realistic Expectations

Yi Peng is primarily a Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand phenomenon, so Phuket’s experience is different. Phuket101 notes that people also release flying lanterns on main beaches in Phuket, describing it as surreal and beautiful, but adds that sky lantern use has been limited due to safety issues.

The key travel takeaway: enjoy any lantern moments you see, but do not plan your entire Phuket trip around a guaranteed mass lantern release. If a large-scale lantern event is your priority, Chiang Mai is the classic destination, while Phuket is best for water lanterns and coastal krathong scenes.

What to Expect on the Night in Phuket

Loy Krathong in Phuket is usually a blend of serene and festive. Phuket101 notes that as with many local events, there is plenty of street food to enjoy, plus parties and games at local fun fairs in popular places.

This is a great island night for slow travel. Many visitors build an evening around three simple steps: buy a krathong near the waterfront, watch others float theirs while you find a calm spot, then release your own with a wish under the full moon.

Travel Tips for Loy Krathong in Phuket

Phuket island is easy to navigate, but festival nights bring crowds near water access points. A few choices can make your night smoother:

• Go early to your chosen spot, especially if you want an easy place to stand near the waterline.
• Keep cash for buying krathongs from vendors near beaches, lakes, and piers, since Phuket101 notes they’re widely available near the water.
• Choose biodegradable krathongs, since both Wikipedia and Phuket101 highlight environmental concerns and encourage natural materials over Styrofoam.
• If you’re with kids or prefer a calmer atmosphere, consider Saphan Hin Lake in Phuket Town or a resort lagoon rather than the busiest nightlife beaches.

Pricing: What Does It Cost?

There is no standard ticket price to “enter” Loy Krathong in Phuket because it is a public cultural festival celebrated across beaches, lakes, and piers. Visitors typically spend money on krathongs purchased from vendors, food, and transportation rather than admission fees.

If you’re staying at a resort, some hotels host their own Loy Krathong activities near pools or lagoons, which can shift pricing depending on whether an event is included for guests or sold as a special dinner package. For a simple budget plan, set aside a small amount for a krathong, snacks, and getting to your chosen waterfront spot.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event name: Loy Krathong (often coinciding with Yi Peng lantern traditions)
• Event category: Thai cultural and religious festival of lights (floating krathongs on water; sometimes sky lanterns).
• Typically held: Full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar, usually November (date changes yearly).
• Where to celebrate in Phuket (examples): All beaches, Saphan Hin Lake (Phuket Town), Karon Lake, Nai Harn Lake, and piers such as Rawai Pier.
• Meaning (as described): Floating krathongs to thank and apologise to the water goddess, and to wish for good luck.
• Krathong materials (best practice): Banana trunk or bread-based biodegradable krathongs; avoid Styrofoam.
• Sky lanterns in Phuket: Lantern releases may occur on some main beaches, but have been limited due to safety issues.
• Pricing: No standard admission fee; costs usually include buying a krathong, food, and transportation.
• Example date reference: Phuket101 lists Loy Krathong Festival in Phuket as November 5, 2025.

Plan a Phuket island trip for November, pick your perfect waterfront setting from Saphan Hin Lake to Rawai Pier, buy a biodegradable krathong, and spend the night floating your wishes under the full moon while Phuket’s beaches and town lights glow around you.