Loy Krathong is the reason many travelers plan a Thailand trip for November. Small floating baskets are set on rivers and canals under the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, and in the north the sky fills with lanterns for Yi Peng. Around it sit a rare Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, the candlelit festival at Sukhothai and the Surin Elephant Round-Up.
This guide lists the main Thailand events in November, with a clear status for each date, where to celebrate Loy Krathong, how it differs from Yi Peng, and what to book early. Cooler, drier weather arrives across most of the country, which makes it one of the best months to travel.
Thailand Events in November at a Glance
Dates marked Confirmed come from official announcements. Dates marked TBC are the usual schedule and can shift, so check with the organizers before you book. Loy Krathong and Yi Peng follow the lunar calendar, and individual provinces, Chiang Mai included, may set the main night a day earlier or later.
| Date | Event | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 November | Royal Barge Procession (Royal Kathin Ceremony) | Chao Phraya River, Bangkok | Confirmed |
| 15–24 November | Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival | Sukhothai Historical Park | TBC, check with organizers |
| 19–21 November | Surin Elephant Round-Up | Surin, Isan | TBC, check with organizers |
| 24–25 November | Loy Krathong and Yi Peng (full moon of the 12th lunar month) | Nationwide, Chiang Mai is the focus | Date follows the lunar calendar; program TBC |
| 28–29 November | Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok | Bangkok | Confirmed |
Loy Krathong vs Yi Peng: What Is the Difference?
The two festivals fall on the same full moon, which is why they are so often confused.
- Loy Krathong is celebrated nationwide. People float a krathong, a small raft traditionally made from banana trunk and leaves, with flowers, candles and incense, to thank the water spirits and let go of the past year’s bad luck.
- Yi Peng belongs to the Lanna culture of northern Thailand, centered on Chiang Mai. It is a lantern festival: paper lanterns are released into the sky to make merit and carry wishes away.
- In Chiang Mai the two run side by side, so a single evening can include a krathong on the Ping River and a lantern release.
Where to Celebrate Loy Krathong in Thailand
Chiang Mai: Loy Krathong and the Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Chiang Mai is the best-known place for the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. Expect decorated streets, parades in the Old City, krathong floating along the Ping River and ticketed mass lantern releases outside the city. The big ticketed events sell out well ahead, so book as soon as tickets open. A free alternative is to join locals at the river or at a temple. This is the busiest week of the year, so reserve a room early; see where to stay in Chiang Mai and the best hotels in Chiang Mai, and the Old City temples for what to see around the festival.
Sukhothai Loy Krathong Festival
Sukhothai is widely seen as the birthplace of the tradition, and its festival is the most atmospheric version: candlelit processions and krathong ceremonies among the illuminated ruins of the historical park. The festival is usually held over about ten days before the full moon, with the biggest shows on the last nights, and the exact program is TBC each year. It suits travelers who want something quieter and more historical than Chiang Mai. Read the Sukhothai visitor guide, compare it with Ayutthaya in this ancient capital comparison and see where to stay in Sukhothai.
Bangkok
In Bangkok, Loy Krathong is celebrated along the Chao Phraya, in parks and temple grounds, and at riverside hotels with their own events. Many public venues hold free krathong floating. Choose a riverside base with these riverside hotels or check which Bangkok area suits you.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival: Booking and Lantern Tips
- Official lantern-release events in Chiang Mai are ticketed and limited. Book only through the organizers’ own channels and treat unofficial resellers with caution.
- Sky lanterns are regulated in some areas, especially near the airport flight paths. Release lanterns only at designated sites and follow local announcements.
- Choose a biodegradable krathong made from banana trunk and leaves. Avoid foam and plastic, and do not put coins or non-natural items on it.
- Arrive early. Roads and riverside spots fill up in the evening, and Chiang Mai traffic is slow on the festival nights.
- Flights and rooms rise sharply. Check how to get to Chiang Mai and book transport at the same time as your room.
Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok
Status: Confirmed. The Royal Barge Procession is scheduled for Friday, 6 November, for the Royal Kathin Ceremony, starting in the afternoon. The royal barges travel along the Chao Phraya from Wasukri Pier, passing the Grand Palace, and finish at Wat Arun. It is a rare ceremony, held on special occasions, and this one marks Queen Suthida’s fourth-cycle birthday.
Public viewing areas line both banks between Krung Thon Bridge and Wat Arun. Free tickets for some riverside areas have already been allocated, so check the current announcement for remaining access. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are often closed around the ceremony. Plan the day with the Wat Arun and Wat Pho guide and Grand Palace visiting tips.
Viewing areas are expected to open around 3 p.m., so arrive well before then. The procession has 52 gilded barges and about 2,200 Royal Thai Navy personnel, in a formation roughly 1,280 meters long. It passes Phra Sumen Fort, Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge, Siriraj Hospital, the Grand Palace and the Royal Thai Navy Auditorium before reaching Wat Arun. Popular viewing points include the Rama VIII Bridge area, Phra Sumen Fort and Santichaiprakan Park, Tha Chang and Tha Tien near Wat Pho, which suits the finale. Tha Chang and the Grand Palace side are the most crowded, and access to the Wat Arun riverbank is likely to be restricted. All rehearsals have finished, so 6 November is the only chance to see the barges this season.
Other Thailand Festivals in November
Surin Elephant Round-Up (usually the third weekend, TBC). A large gathering of elephants and mahouts in Isan, with a street parade and stadium shows. Surin is far from our main destinations, and tickets and rooms sell out early. If you prefer a calmer elephant visit near Chiang Mai, see these ethical sanctuaries.
Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November). Expect road closures along the route on race morning, so check the official course map if you are staying centrally that weekend.
The half marathon (21.1 km) starts at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday from MBK Center on Phayathai Road. On Sunday the marathon (42.195 km) starts at 2:00 a.m., the 10 km at 6:00 a.m. for elites and fast runners (6:15 to 6:30 a.m. for everyone else) and the 4.5 km family run at 6:45 a.m., all from Sanam Luang, where every distance finishes. Race packs are collected in person at the expo at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on 26, 27 and 28 November. Public registration was scheduled to close on 31 October, or earlier if slots sold out.
More November events. Pattaya International Jazz Festival, 6 to 7 November, Pattaya Beach. Nakhon Nayok Winter Festival and Fantasy Kite Festival, 11 to 15 November, Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam. Miracle of Faith at Phanom Rung Festival, 13 to 15 November, Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram. Pattaya International Fireworks Festival, 27 to 28 November, Pattaya Beach. Nasatta Light Festival in Ratchaburi runs from 20 November to 28 February.
Things to Do in Thailand in November
November is the start of the high season. The rainy season is ending on the Andaman coast and in the north, with lower humidity and clearer skies. The Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao) are in their wetter months through December, so Phuket and Krabi are usually the safer beach choice. Bangkok is more comfortable for walking around temples and the old town. For regional detail, see the guides on Phuket in each season and Koh Samui weather, or the full month-by-month Thailand guide.
A simple plan: start in Bangkok for the barge procession, fly north for Yi Peng, then head to the coast. For ideas beyond the festivals, try Chiang Mai beyond the temples or Bangkok beyond the temples. Looking ahead, our December events guide covers what follows.
Which November Event Should You Prioritize?
- Loy Krathong and Yi Peng, around 24–25 November, Chiang Mai: the headline experience; book early.
- Royal Barge Procession, 6 November, Bangkok: the most unusual ceremony of the month.
- Sukhothai Loy Krathong Festival, mid to late November: the quieter, more historical option.
- Surin Elephant Round-Up, around 19–21 November: only if you are building an Isan itinerary.
Both the barge procession and Loy Krathong fall in November this year, so the month works well for an events-led trip. Specific programs can still shift, so confirm details with the organizers before you travel.
Loy Krathong and November Events: FAQ
When is Loy Krathong in Thailand?
Loy Krathong falls on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, which is around 24–25 November this year. Provinces may set the main night a day apart, so confirm locally.
What is the difference between Loy Krathong and Yi Peng?
Loy Krathong is a nationwide festival of floating baskets on water. Yi Peng is the Lanna lantern festival of northern Thailand, held in Chiang Mai on the same full moon.
Where is the best place to celebrate Loy Krathong?
Chiang Mai is the most famous for Yi Peng lanterns, Sukhothai has the most historical setting, and Bangkok has riverside events and free krathong floating.
Do I need tickets for the Yi Peng lantern release in Chiang Mai?
The organized mass lantern releases are ticketed and sell out, so book early through the organizers. Floating a krathong on the river or at a temple is free.
Can I release a sky lantern anywhere?
No. Lanterns are regulated in some areas, especially near flight paths, so release them only at designated sites and follow local announcements.
Is November a good time to visit Thailand?
Yes. The rains are ending on the Andaman coast and in the north, and the weather is cooler and drier, though the Gulf islands stay wetter until December.
Sources
- TAT Newsroom: Royal Barge Procession and rehearsals
- Thailand Public Relations Department: Royal Barge Procession rehearsals and Royal Kathin Ceremony
