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Loy Krathong Bangkok 2026: Where to Go and How to Get the Photo 🏮

11 minutes ago
6 min read

⚡ Quick answer: Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November, the full moon night of the 12th Thai lunar month. The best Loy Krathong Bangkok spots are along the Chao Phraya River after dark, around riverside temples such as Wat Arun and Wat Yannawa and at Asiatique The Riverfront. Go early, bring a krathong made from natural materials, and if you want photos of yourself, not just of candles, bring a local photographer friend. 📸

Picture thousands of tiny candles drifting down a river, families laughing at the water's edge and the whole city glowing gold. ✨ That is Loy Krathong, Thailand's festival of lights, and one of the most photogenic nights of the Bangkok year. It is also one of the hardest nights to photograph yourself: it is dark, it is busy and your hands are full of krathong. Here is where we go, how we shoot it, and how to end the night with photos of YOU in them. We Walk, We Talk, We Photo. 🧡

Wat Arun lit up at night, seen through a narrow Bangkok alley
🛕 Wat Arun after dark, one of the classic Loy Krathong backdrops

📋 Key facts at a glance

Fact

Detail

🏮 Festival

Loy Krathong, Thailand's festival of lights

📅 2026 date

Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month

📍 Where in Bangkok

Along the Chao Phraya River, city canals and park lakes

🛕 Riverside spots

Wat Arun, Wat Yannawa, Asiatique The Riverfront

📸 Who we are

Walk-Talk-Photo, local Bangkok photographers who show you around and photograph you

⭐ Reviews

400+ five-star reviews

💰 Price

See the latest price and dates on our website

Festival date checked on 10 November 2026 against the Thailand government events page and travel guides. A few websites list 25 November, so check your local event the week before. ✅

🌕 When is Loy Krathong 2026?

Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November. 🌕 The festival follows the Thai lunar calendar and lands on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, so the date moves every year. The big official festival in Sukhothai runs from 15 to 24 November 2026, with its finale on the 24th.

  • 🗓️ Mark Tuesday 24 November 2026 in your calendar

  • 🌅 Be by the water from just before sunset

  • 🌕 Look up: the full moon becomes part of your photo

🏮 What is Loy Krathong, and why is it so photogenic?

A krathong is a small floating basket, traditionally made from a slice of banana trunk and folded banana leaves, decorated with flowers, a candle and incense sticks. 🌸 People light the candle, make a wish and let it drift away. Many Thais see it as a thank you to the water and a way to let go of bad luck.

  • 🕯️ Warm candlelight glowing on happy faces

  • 🌊 Reflections dancing on the river

  • 🌸 Flowers and hand folded leaves up close

  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Families, friends and couples sharing a quiet moment

Red candles glowing at a golden shrine in Bangkok
🕯️ Candlelight does half the work for you

📍 Where are the best Loy Krathong Bangkok photo spots?

Bangkok celebrates along the Chao Phraya River and many of its canals and park lakes. These riverside spots are popular:

  • 🛕 Wat Arun: the Temple of Dawn on the river bank, a stunning backdrop for floating candles

  • 🏯 Wat Yannawa: a riverside temple known for traditional celebrations

  • 🎡 Asiatique The Riverfront: lights, stalls and big crowds

  • 🚤 The river itself: many people watch from the water on a river cruise

Big spots mean big crowds. 🙏 A local can steer you to a quieter stretch of water nearby, where the photos feel calmer and more personal.

💡 Good to know: event times and boat schedules change every year, so check each venue's own page the week before. We only list facts we can confirm.

📸 How do I take good photos at Loy Krathong?

  • 🌆 Arrive at blue hour: just after sunset the sky still has colour, so your photos show the glow and the scene

  • 🕯️ Use the candle as your light: hold your krathong close and let it light your face

  • 📱 Phone users: turn on night mode, hold still, or lean on a railing

  • 🚫 Skip the flash: it kills the warm candle glow

  • 🌊 Shoot low: crouch near the water to catch the reflections

  • 💛 Look for moments: a child pointing, a couple whispering a wish, friends laughing

And the big one: if you are always holding the camera, you will not be in any of the photos. 😉

🧡 How can I be IN my Loy Krathong photos?

This is where we come in. Walk-Talk-Photo is a team of local Bangkok photographers who show you around and photograph you along the way. You enjoy the night, we catch the moments. 📸

  • 🧭 Your Private Bangkok Photographer Friend: fully private, your route and your pace, no fixed plan

  • 🗣️ A local who speaks Thai, knows the crowds and chats with the vendors for you

  • ✋ A person edits every photo by hand

  • 🔒 Your photos arrive in a private online gallery

Loy Krathong is an evening festival, so message us on WhatsApp first and we will plan your day so it ends by the water after dark. 24 November 2026 is a Tuesday, one of our working days. See the latest price and dates on our website. 💬

Golden sunset over Wat Arun seen from a riverside alley in Bangkok
🌅 Golden hour by the river, just before the candles come out

⭐ What guests say

“The conversations flowed, the laughs came naturally, and we felt like we were walking with old friends.” Karely P., Houston, May 2025 (Tripadvisor)

“It truly felt like having a friend show you around the city while capturing stunning photos you will treasure forever.” Canossa Armstrong, Google review

Walk-Talk-Photo has 400+ five-star reviews. ⭐

🌿 How do I celebrate Loy Krathong respectfully?

  • 🍃 Go natural: choose a krathong of banana leaves, bread or other natural materials, never plastic or foam

  • 🤫 Ask first: a smile and a nod before a close up photo of someone

  • 🚶 Watch your step: river banks and piers get crowded and slippery

  • 🕯️ Careful with fire: keep candles away from hair, scarves and other krathongs

  • 👕 Dress for temples: cover shoulders and knees if you visit a temple

📅 How do I book my Loy Krathong photos?

Want photos of you on the most magical night of the Bangkok year? 🏮 Pick your date on the Private Bangkok Photographer Friend page, where you can see the latest price and availability, and message us first so we can plan your evening. We reply like a friend would. 💬

📞 WhatsApp: +66 61 526 8288

📧 Email: info@walk-talk-photo.com

❓ Loy Krathong Bangkok: your questions answered

When is Loy Krathong 2026?

Loy Krathong 2026 is on Tuesday 24 November, the full moon night of the 12th Thai lunar month. A few websites list 25 November, so check your local event the week before.

Popular spots are along the Chao Phraya River, including riverside temples such as Wat Arun and Wat Yannawa, and Asiatique The Riverfront. City canals and park lakes celebrate too.

Yes. Arrive at blue hour, turn on night mode, skip the flash and let the candle light your face.

Choose one made from banana leaves, bread or other natural materials. They are kinder to the river than plastic or foam.

Yes. Walk-Talk-Photo's local photographers show you around and photograph you. Message us on WhatsApp on +66 61 526 8288 to plan an evening, and see the latest price and dates on our website.

📚 More reading

We Walk, We Talk, We Photo. See you by the river! 🏮🧡

✍️ About this guide: written by the Walk-Talk-Photo team, Bangkok-born photographers led by founder Mike Panupan Joongjai. The 2026 festival date was checked on 10 November 2026 on the Thailand government events page and travel guides. Prices change by season, so we always link to our website for the latest price and confirm your plan on WhatsApp before you book.


 
 
 

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