Loi Krathong for Teachers: School Day, Krathong Making, and Evening Events
Loi Krathong Is the Raft. Yi Peng Is the Sky. Same Moon, Different Thing
Sawasdee from Sukhothai. Every November our students float krathong rafts on ponds and rivers, while up in Chiang Mai the sky fills with khom loy lanterns for Yi Peng. They share a full moon, but they are not the same thing. Here's what to expect at school, how to make a krathong without styrofoam, and how to be a good guest at the water's edge.
Raft or Lantern: Same Moon, Different Thing
New teachers often mix these up. Here's the short version.
Loi Krathong (ลอยกระทง)
Loi means to float and a krathong is a small raft. All over Thailand, people float them on rivers, canals, lakes and temple ponds to thank the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha (พระแม่คงคา), and let go of the past year's bad luck. This is the one your school will celebrate.
Yi Peng (ยี่เป็ง)
Yi Peng is a Lanna (northern) festival. Its best-known sight is khom loy (โคมลอย), paper lanterns released into the night sky, mainly around Chiang Mai. It falls on the same full moon, so in the North you often see both. Lantern releases are restricted, and permitted events, zones and times change every year, so check Chiang Mai and TAT notices before you go.
Why Sukhothai Matters
Sukhothai is traditionally linked with Loi Krathong, and legend credits Nang Noppamas (นางนพมาศ) with the first lotus-shaped krathong. Sukhothai Historical Park usually holds several nights of light-and-sound shows and candle events around the full moon.
Dates: Check TAT & Park Notices
The date follows the Thai lunar calendar. The full moon of the 12th lunar month is expected on 24–25 November 2026; TAT and park notices can move programmes.
| Where | Expected Timing | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Sukhothai Historical Park | Several nights leading up to the full moon | Check the Sukhothai Historical Park and TAT notices for exact dates and light-and-sound tickets. |
| Chiang Mai (Yi Peng) | Around the full moon, expected 24–25 Nov | Lantern releases are only allowed at permitted events, places and times, and the rules change each year. Check Chiang Mai and TAT notices, and don't release lanterns on your own. |
| Tak (Loi Krathong Sai, กระทงสาย) | Around the full moon | Known for long lines of small coconut-shell krathongs floated on the Ping River. Check Tak provincial notices. |
| Bangkok | Main night around 24–25 Nov | Riverside piers, temples and city parks get very busy. Allow extra travel time. |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Eco Krathongs: Banana Trunk or Bread
Float something that breaks down.
🍌 Banana Trunk (หยวกกล้วย)
A slice of banana trunk wrapped in folded banana leaves and pinned with wooden toothpicks. It breaks down naturally, and it's what most schools make.
🍞 Bread Krathongs (กระทงขนมปัง)
Bread shaped into lotuses or turtles. It breaks down quickly and fish eat it. Some venues still prefer banana trunk, so follow local guidance.
🚫 No Styrofoam
Don't buy or float styrofoam or plastic krathongs. They don't break down and end up in canals and rivers. Many cities and venues ban them, and schools usually ask for natural materials.
How to Make an Eco-Friendly Krathong
Five steps, the way we do it with students:
- Prepare a Natural Base: Cut a disc about 5 cm thick from a fresh banana trunk, or buy a ready-made bread base. Never use styrofoam.
- Fold Banana Leaves: Fold fresh banana leaves into small pointed petals and pin them around the edge with wooden toothpicks.
- Add Flowers: Arrange flowers such as marigolds (ดอกดาวเรือง, dok dao rueang), orchids and jasmine (ดอกมะลิ, dok mali) on top.
- Add a Candle and Incense: Push one candle and three incense sticks into the centre.
- Light, Wish and Float: At the water's edge, light the candle and incense, make a wish, and push the krathong gently onto the water.
At School: Crafts, Contests & Photos
Join in, keep it voluntary, ask before photos.
Krathong Making Is a Great Lesson
Leaf, trunk, candle, flower, float, wish: making krathongs is a ready-made English lesson. Students love showing their foreign teacher how to fold the petals.
Don't Push Kids Into the Pageant
Many schools hold a Nang Noppamas (นางนพมาศ) contest or a krathong competition. Cheer everyone on, but never pressure a shy student to go on stage. Leave choosing contestants to Thai staff.
Ask Before Photos of Kids
Ask before you photograph students. School photos stay on school pages, such as the school's Facebook page or LINE albums, not on your personal accounts.
Temples and the Water's Edge
Cover your shoulders and knees on temple grounds, and wear shoes that slip off easily. Banks and pond steps get wet and slippery with water and wax, so watch your footing, especially with students. Keep a cool heart (ใจเย็น, jai yen) in the crowds. For the rest of the school year, see festivals in Thailand; next come Christmas in a Thai school and Teachers' Day in January.
Apps Our Teachers Use
Handy on festival nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Loi Krathong and Yi Peng?
Loi Krathong (ลอยกระทง) is celebrated nationwide by floating banana-trunk or bread rafts on rivers, lakes and ponds. Yi Peng (ยี่เป็ง) is a northern Lanna festival, best known in Chiang Mai for khom loy (โคมลอย) sky lanterns. They fall on the same full moon, but they are different festivals.
When is Loi Krathong?
The full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month is expected on 24–25 November 2026. Sukhothai Historical Park usually runs events over several nights before the main night. TAT and park notices can move programmes, so check them each year.
Is Loi Krathong a school holiday?
Often not. Loi Krathong is often a normal school day unless your school memo says otherwise, and afternoon lessons may turn into krathong making or a school contest.
Why not use styrofoam krathongs?
Styrofoam does not break down, so it ends up in canals and rivers. Use a banana-trunk or bread krathong instead; many cities and venues ban styrofoam.
What should teachers wear at temples and water sites?
Cover your shoulders and knees, especially on temple grounds, and wear shoes that slip off easily. Banks and pond steps get wet and slippery, so watch your footing.
How should teachers handle photos and school contests?
Join in the crafts, but never pressure a shy student into the Nang Noppamas contest or any stage event. Ask before photographing children, and keep school photos on school pages rather than your personal accounts.
Written by Matthew John
Co-Founder & Operations Manager : 20 Years in ThailandI'm Matthew, co-founder of Kids English Thailand. I've lived in Thailand for 20 years and work from our office in Ban Lum, Sukhothai. Since 2009 we have placed over 1,500 teachers in Thai schools, and this is what we tell them before their first Loi Krathong.
