Loy Krathong is the gentlest night of the Thai year. People gather by the water after dark, light a candle and incense on a small float — a krathong — and set it on the water as a thank-you to the water goddess and a way of letting go of the year’s bad luck.
In 2026 the full moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month falls on Tuesday 24 November, and that is the night Pattaya celebrates. This guide covers where the city’s events are, how to join in respectfully, which krathong to buy, and the one rule about lanterns that you really should know. Last checked: 13 November 2026.
The Essentials
| Main night | Tuesday 24 November 2026 |
| Pattaya’s main celebration | Lan Pho Public Park, Naklua |
| Koh Larn | 23–24 November, grounds in front of Wat Mai Samran |
| Koh Larn theme | ”Eco-Friendly Loy Krathong, Local Ways of Koh Larn” |
| Entry | Public events; no ticket needed |
| Lanterns and drones | AOT warns against releasing lanterns near its airports, 23–25 November |
A note on the date: some Pattaya listings, including part of Pattaya Mail’s event calendar, give 25 November. The Tourism Authority of Thailand puts this year’s full moon on 24 November, and Pattaya City’s own plan has the main celebration on the 24th. We go with the 24th. Check the city’s final programme in the days before.
Lan Pho Public Park, Naklua
Pattaya City is holding its main Loy Krathong celebration on 24 November at Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua, in North Pattaya. The plans were set at a meeting at City Hall on 12 October, chaired by Deputy Mayor Krisana Boonsawat.
On the programme so far:
- A krathong-making competition using natural materials
- The Little Noppamas contest, the traditional pageant for young participants
- The floating of krathongs after dark
The city says the event is meant to preserve Thai tradition while putting environmental protection and public safety first. The detailed schedule and competition registration had not been published as of 13 November; we will add times once they are out.
Naklua is also one of the better parts of Pattaya for seafood — at the Lan Pho Market on the waterfront you choose your fish or prawns and have them cooked at the restaurants alongside. Make an evening of it. More on the area: Naklua.
Koh Larn: Two Days, Eco Theme
The island holds its own two-day programme on 23 and 24 November at the multipurpose grounds in front of Wat Mai Samran, under the theme “Eco-Friendly Loy Krathong, Local Ways of Koh Larn.”
- Boat-paddling competitions on both days
- A local food activity on 23 November
- Free souvenirs for visitors
- Visitors and residents are encouraged to wear traditional Thai clothing
This is the smaller, more local version of the festival, and the eco theme is the point — natural-material krathongs only.
Watch the ferry. The last public ferry back from Koh Larn usually leaves around 18:00, well before the krathongs go on the water. If you want to stay for the evening, plan an overnight stay on the island or a speedboat back. Ferries, piers and where to stay: our Koh Larn guide.
Other Celebrations Nearby
TAT’s national Loy Krathong calendar lists two more events close to Pattaya:
- Pong Sub-district Loi Krathong Festival — 24 November, Pong, Bang Lamung District
- Laem Chabang Loi Krathong Festival — 23–24 November, 80th Birthday Anniversary Park, Laem Chabang
Bigger set pieces are a long way from here: Sukhothai’s historical park and Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng lantern events are in the north.
How to Join In
You do not need to be Thai or Buddhist to float a krathong. Visitors are welcome at the public celebrations — just take part the way locals do.
- Buy a krathong from a stall near the water. They are sold everywhere on the day.
- Light the candle and the incense sticks on it.
- Make a wish or think of what you want to let go of.
- Set it gently on the water and let it go.
Etiquette that matters:
- Dress modestly, especially at temple grounds such as Wat Mai Samran. Covered shoulders and knees are the safe choice. Traditional Thai clothing is encouraged on Koh Larn.
- It is a ceremony, not a party. Keep the noise down at the waterline, and let families with children go first.
- Do not take or move other people’s krathongs.
- Mind the candles and the water’s edge. It is dark, crowded and slippery near the water.
Choose an Eco-Friendly Krathong
Every year Thai authorities ask people to cut the waste that ends up in rivers and the sea. Bangkok’s 2026 green guidelines are a good rule of thumb anywhere:
- Natural materials only — banana trunk and banana leaves, which break down quickly. Skip polystyrene foam.
- Be careful with bread krathongs. They are sold as fish food, but in closed water such as park ponds the uneaten bread pollutes the water. Bangkok asks people not to use them in its parks.
- One family, one krathong. Share one between your group.
Koh Larn’s whole programme is built on the same idea, and the natural-materials competition at Lan Pho points the same way.
Lanterns, Fireworks and Drones: The Airport Warning
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has asked people not to release sky lanterns, lit or smoke lanterns, fireworks, firecrackers, rockets or balloons near its airports during Loy Krathong, 23–25 November 2026. The appeal covers six airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai. Flying a drone within nine kilometres of an airport requires authorisation.
AOT says airborne objects can obstruct pilots’ view, distract crews at critical moments, and cause severe damage if they enter an engine. The penalties for endangering an aircraft are severe — up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty, or 15 to 20 years and a fine of THB 600,000 to 800,000.
What this means in Pattaya: U-Tapao, the airport closest to Pattaya, is not on AOT’s list, but aircraft fly into it all the same. Loy Krathong in Pattaya is a festival of floating krathongs, not sky lanterns — leave the lanterns out.
Flying out that week? In the north, airlines have cancelled or rescheduled dozens of flights around the festival. AOT advises checking flight status with your airline before you leave and allowing two to three hours to get to the airport.
Planning the Week
Loy Krathong opens Pattaya’s busiest run of events:
- 24 November — Loy Krathong
- 27–28 November — Pattaya International Fireworks Festival, free on Pattaya Beach
- 3–7 December — Wonderfruit at Siam Country Club
- 11–13 December — Tomorrowland Thailand
All dates with sources: Pattaya events calendar. If you are staying for Loy Krathong and the fireworks, Naklua and Wongamat keep you close to Lan Pho and still within reach of the beach. Compare hotels in where to stay in Pattaya.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Loy Krathong 2026 in Pattaya?
Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full-moon night. Koh Larn’s programme runs on 23 and 24 November.
Where is the main celebration in Pattaya?
At Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua, North Pattaya, organised by Pattaya City.
Can tourists float a krathong?
Yes. Buy one at a stall by the water, light the candle and incense, make a wish and set it on the water. Dress modestly and be respectful — it is a religious and cultural tradition.
Can I release a sky lantern in Pattaya?
Do not. AOT warns against releasing lanterns near airports from 23 to 25 November, and endangering an aircraft carries severe penalties. Pattaya’s celebrations centre on floating krathongs, not lanterns.
Why do some sites say 25 November?
Some Pattaya listings give the 25th. TAT and Pattaya City both point to 24 November for 2026.
What should my krathong be made of?
Banana trunk and banana leaves. Avoid foam, and avoid bread krathongs in closed ponds.
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026:
- The Pattaya News — Pattaya Prepares for Loy Krathong 2026 Celebrations at Lan Pho Park and Koh Larn (12 October 2026): Lan Pho and Koh Larn programme
- TAT Newsroom — Loi Krathong 2026 lights up Thailand’s rivers and historic cities (5 November 2026): full-moon date, national and Chon Buri events
- ASEAN NOW — AOT warns against lanterns and drones near airports (13 November 2026): AOT warning, airports, penalties, flight changes
- The Nation — Bangkok announces 35 parks for Loy Krathong with green guidelines (13 November 2026): eco-friendly krathong guidelines
- Pattaya Mail — Pattaya may get cooler, but its warm welcome never goes cold (11 November 2026): lists 25 November
Related Guides
- Pattaya Events Calendar
- Koh Larn Island Guide
- Naklua Area Guide
- Pattaya Fireworks Festival 2026
- Songkran in Pattaya
- First Time in Pattaya
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it never affects what we recommend — see our affiliate disclosure.
Pattaya.love Editorial Team
Local Experts since 2019
Our team of Pattaya-based writers, photographers, and long-term residents researches every guide on the ground. We visit venues, test routes, and verify every recommendation so you get actionable, up-to-date information you can trust.
