For 25 years, Thailand has been my home, its rivers and traditions weaving into my life since I first arrived in Chiang Rai. Now, living in Sukhothai—the very cradle of the Loy Krathong festival—I feel its heartbeat even more deeply. The Loy Krathong festival (or Loi Krathong festival, as some write it) and Yi Peng turn November’s full moon into a celebration of light and gratitude. I’ve watched krathongs float on Sukhothai’s ponds, their candles flickering, and released sky lanterns into the night sky elsewhere, each moment a love letter to this land. These are more than events; they’re the soul of Thai culture. Let’s explore the Loy Krathong festival, the Loi Krathong festival, and Yi Peng, from their Sukhothai roots to their 2025 glow, with the warmth they’ve kindled in me over decades.

Loy Krathong is a traditional festival in Thailand and involves releasing floating lanterns named krathongs into rivers and waterways to honor the water goddess and Buddha.

Sukhothai is one of the best places to experience the festival because it is the birthplace of the festival and holds the most prominent celebration, lasting for several days and nights.