Enjoy a Quieter Loy Krathong in Nonthaburi

Key Takeaways

• Loy Krathong 2026 Nonthaburi falls on the evening of Tuesday, 24 November, with the main civic festival held at Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier and traditional ceremonies at riverside temples throughout the province.
• The Chao Phraya runs the length of Nonthaburi, so the festival feels closer to home and quieter than the crowded festivities held in central Bangkok.
• For couples, families, and multi-generational groups, a hotel near the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi is a convenient base for the Loy Krathong events nearby.

Each November, rivers and canals across Thailand glow softly with countless flickering candles for Loy Krathong. The tradition honors Phra Mae Khongkha, the goddess of water, with heartfelt gratitude. Visitors participate by gently setting afloat a small krathong made from banana trunk or bread, the soft rippling water carrying away their past worries and troubles from the previous months.

For those who prefer a quieter celebration, experience Loy Krathong in Nonthaburi, which runs on the Chao Phraya just upriver from central Bangkok. The main event is typically held at Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier, but there are smaller temple fairs offering guests a look into local tradition throughout the week.

What Makes Loy Krathong So Special?

Loy Krathong is more than a night by the river. It carries specific meaning for Thais and a set of customs that vary by region.

The Meaning Behind Loy Krathong

The name breaks into two Thai words. “Loy” (ลอย) means to float. “Krathong” (กระทง) is a small basket placed on the water. The ritual is built around the following:

• Paying respect to Phra Mae Khongkha: the goddess of water, thanked for the year’s rainfall and the river that feeds daily life.
• Letting go of negativity: the past year’s mistakes, worries, and bad luck float downstream with the krathong.
• Making wishes for the year ahead: most people ask for health, love, work, or good fortune as the candle drifts away.

Traditional Loy Krathong Customs

Customs vary, but the preparation is largely the same throughout Thailand:

• Banana-trunk base: the foundation is cut from a slice of a banana tree trunk.
• Folded banana leaves: fresh leaves are folded into lotus petal shapes and pinned around the base.
• Three offerings: each krathong holds a candle, three incense sticks, and fresh flowers, standing for light, respect, and devotion.
• Personal additions: many people tuck in a coin for good fortune, a lock of hair, or fingernail clippings to release past burdens and negativity.
• Lighting and floating: light the candle and incense, make a wish, then place the krathong gently on the water to drift away.

When is Loy Krathong in 2026?

Loy Krathong takes place on the night when the full moon lights up the sky in the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar. Most Nonthaburi temples start their fairs two to three days before the full moon, filling the air with festive sounds, and close on the 25th.

• 21–23 November 2026: opening evenings at Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier with cultural performances, food stalls, and the Nang Nopphamat pageant heats.
• 24 November 2026 (peak night): From sunset to around 11 pm, the main floating ceremony runs at Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier, alongside temple fairs throughout the province at Wat Prasat, Wat Prang Luang, and Wat Sai Yai.
• 25 November 2026: closing evening. Temple fairs wind down, and remaining krathongs go on the water.

Smaller temple fairs post their schedules on Facebook a few weeks before the festival. Confirm exact hours with the venue before you travel. Times shift year on year.

Where to Celebrate Loy Krathong in Nonthaburi

Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier on Chao Phraya

Nonthaburi Municipality organizes the main civic event on the embankment beside the provincial pier. There is a large stage with cultural performances, the Nang Nopphamat pageant, and long lines of stalls selling krathongs, food, and drink. Most people release their krathongs directly onto the shimmering waters of the Chao Phraya River. Festivities here often draw large crowds, though they are not as packed as those in central Bangkok.

Local Temples and Community Celebrations

Wat Prasat, Bang Krang

Wat Prasat, Nonthaburi’s oldest 17th-century temple, hosts a four- to five-day Loy Krathong fair during the festival week. Programs usually include the offering of a ceremonial tiered umbrella (chatra) to the main Buddha statue, Luang Pho Yai. Traditional Thai performances, a temple market, and family activities fill the evenings.

Wat Prang Luang, Bang Yai

Wat Prang Luang, a 14th-century monastery beside Khlong Om Non, holds a smaller, community-led Loy Krathong ceremony each year. The program centers on traditional rituals rather than stage performances. Local food stalls fill the air with the sizzling sounds of moo ping skewers and the tangy aroma of som tam, alongside the sweet scent of khanom krok and mango sticky rice. This is ideal for visitors eager to immerse themselves in the authentic sights and sounds of Loy Krathong rituals.

Wat Sai Yai, Sai Noi

The temple holds its floating ceremony on the Phra Phimon Canal. It runs one of the more traditional community celebrations in the province. You can watch monks travel by boat down the canal while locals give alms from the riverbank or their own boats during a distinctive central Thailand tradition called tak bat thang nam. The drive is worth it if you can time the journey around traffic.

Riverside Hotels with Festival Views

A hotel located near the pier and temple fairs puts you within a short drive of every venue. Begin your Loy Krathong evening by visiting a temple of your choice and taking part in the scheduled activities. Then, head back to your spacious accommodation to watch the krathongs drift away past your balcony.

Opening hours, stage schedules, and admission details vary annually with subtle shifts. Before you head out, take a moment in early November to browse the venue’s Facebook page or listen for announcements from the Nonthaburi municipality.

What to Expect on Loy Krathong Evening

To take part in Loy Krathong, follow these steps:

1. Arrive between 6pm and 8pm. This window catches the sunset and the first candles going on the water before the biggest crowds arrive around 9pm.
2. Buy a krathong at a stall. Expect to pay 40 to 100 baht per krathong depending on size and decoration. Choose one made from a banana trunk or bread. Most Nonthaburi venues discourage styrofoam, and some refuse to sell it.
3. Light the candle and three incense sticks, and hold them at the water’s edge.
4. Make a wish or say a short prayer. Most people also ask the water goddess to carry away any bad luck from the past year.
5. Lower the krathong into the water gently. Temple volunteers or municipal staff help if the bank is steep.
6. Watch it drift away, as the candle carries your worries downstream.
7. Stay for the Nang Nopphamat pageant. Larger venues run this pageant late into the evening.
8. Head home on the MRT. Take the Purple Line to Yaek Tiwanon or the Pink Line to Nonthaburi Civic Centre. Traffic peaks in the hour before sunset and again when the event ends.

Staying by the River for Loy Krathong

As evening falls on Loy Krathong, thousands of tiny flames flicker and float down the Chao Phraya, each krathong softly bobbing with someone’s hopes or concerns. To join in away from the bustling Bangkok crowds, choose a spot where the river flows right by your doorstep.

Riverine Place Hotel & Residence is a hotel near the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi, conveniently located a five-minute drive from Yaek Tiwanon MRT Purple Line Station and 45 minutes from central Bangkok via Rama 5 Bridge.

Families and multi-generational groups may consider our hotel two-bedroom near Nonthaburi. The 2 Bedroom Deluxe has 105 sqm of space, a walk-in wardrobe, and a dual-access bathroom. The private balcony opens directly to the Chao Phraya, so guests can watch krathongs drift downriver from their own room. The fully fitted kitchen includes an electric stove, hood, oven, microwave, and full kitchenware for convenient family or group stays.

Find your way back to the calm and stillness of the water after a lively night celebrating at Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier or the western Nonthaburi temples, surrounded by the gentle lapping of waves. Plan your Loy Krathong stay at Riverine Place, where the gentle river breeze and festive lanterns create a magical atmosphere; book direct for the best rate at www.riverineplace.com.

References

1. Loy Krathong Festival 2026 (Thailand). Retrieved on December 15, 2025, from https://everythingbkk.com/event/loy-krathong-festival-2026/
2. Loy Krathong Bangkok 2026 – date, where to go & traditions. Retrieved on December 15, 2025, from https://www.bangkok-spirit.com/guides/loy-krathong-guide/
3. Thailand marks rivers of light for the Loi Krathong Festival 2025. Retrieved on December 15, 2025, from https://www.tatnews.org/2025/11/thailand-marks-rivers-of-light-for-the-loi-krathong-festival-2025/
4. Loy Krathong Festival at Wat Prasat, Nonthaburi 5-9 November 2025. Retrieved on December 15, 2025, from https://www.lemon8-app.com/@menudetnonthaburi/7569846520158208520

Frequently Asked Questions About Loy Krathong in Nonthaburi (FAQs)

When is Loy Krathong 2026 Nonthaburi?

Loy Krathong 2026 falls on the evening of Tuesday, 24 November 2026, the full moon night of the twelfth Thai lunar month. Temple fairs in Nonthaburi typically open two to three days before the full moon and close on the 25th. Confirm exact dates with each venue before travelling.

Where to celebrate Loy Krathong in Nonthaburi?

The main civic event runs at Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier on the Chao Phraya embankment in Mueang Nonthaburi. Wat Prasat in Bang Kruai, Wat Prang Luang in Bang Yai, and Wat Sai Yai in Sai Noi hold traditional temple ceremonies, among others throughout the province.

Is Nonthaburi Loy Krathong Festival a good alternative to Bangkok?

Yes. Crowds at the Nonthaburi temple fairs are smaller than at Asiatique or Wat Arun, and the community atmosphere is easier to enjoy with children or older relatives.

What should I bring to a Loy Krathong Nonthaburi celebration?

Bring cash for the krathong and food stalls, comfortable shoes for walking on uneven riverside paths, and a light layer for after 10pm. Buy a krathong made from a banana trunk or bread rather than styrofoam. A power bank is useful if you plan to take photographs.

Why stay at a hotel near Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi during Loy Krathong?

Staying on the river puts you within a short drive of Tha Nam Nonthaburi Pier and the main temple fairs, without the traffic of central Bangkok. You can return to a quiet room after the crowds thin out. Riverine Place Hotel & Residence is a five-minute drive from Yaek Tiwanon MRT Purple Line Station.

Which room suits families for a Loy Krathong stay?

The 2-Bedroom Deluxe at Riverine Place is 105 sqm with two separate bedrooms, which suits families and multi-generational groups who want children or older relatives in their own sleeping area. It is a practical two-bedroom hotel near Nonthaburi for a two- or three-night festival stay.