Loy Krathong 2026 in Bangkok (24 November): Where to Float a Krathong and Where to Get a Massage Nearby
Updated
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Loy Krathong, the festival of lights, is one of the most beautiful nights of the year in Bangkok: thousands of people float small decorated baskets (krathongs) on the river, canals and park lakes under the full moon. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday 24 November, the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month. It isn't a public holiday, so offices and shops stay open. Here's where Bangkok celebrated last year, the rules, and where to get a massage before or after.
Bangkok's official 2026 programme hadn't been announced when we wrote this (in 2025 the city announced it in the second half of October). The venues below are from 2025, and we'll update this page when the 2026 details are out.
Where to celebrate (based on 2025)
- Along the Chao Phraya River: in 2025 the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Bangkok River Festival ran at nine riverside sites, including Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Rakhang, Wat Kalayanamit, Tha Maharaj, Asiatique The Riverfront and SookSiam at ICONSIAM.
- Rama VIII Bridge: the city's main event in 2025 was under the bridge on the Thonburi side, 17:00–23:00, with an eco-friendly theme.
- Public parks: Bangkok opened 33 parks until midnight in 2025, including Lumphini, Benjakitti, Benchasiri, Chatuchak, Santichaiprakan (near Khao San) and Rama VIII Park.
- Khlong Ong Ang, the canal on the edge of Chinatown, also hosted a large event in 2025.
The rules: eco krathongs only
- Use natural materials such as banana leaf or banana trunk. Foam krathongs are prohibited.
- Sky lanterns, fireworks and firecrackers are banned in public parks, and alcohol isn't sold there.
- Bangkok asks families to share one krathong ("one family, one krathong") and offers online krathong floating on its Greener Bangkok site.
- In 2024 the city collected 514,590 krathongs, 98.4% of them made of natural materials.
Massage near the riverside and the old town
- Wat Pho's massage pavilion: Thai or foot massage ฿520 for an hour, walk-in only, 09:00–19:00 (last order 18:00). Go in the afternoon before heading to the river.
- Wanpho Massage & Wellness (run by Wat Pho): open 09:00–20:00 and bookable online, Thai or foot massage ฿600 for an hour.
- CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, by BTS Saphan Taksin and Sathorn Pier: open 10:00–22:00, a 60-minute massage from ฿3,400++.
- The Oriental Spa at the Mandarin Oriental: open 10:00–20:00, Thai massage ฿5,200++ for 90 minutes. Book well ahead for the festival week.
- Around Khao San and the Giant Swing: neighbourhood shops near Santichaiprakan Park, many open late. See our Khao San guide.
Massage near Lumphini Park
- Let's Relax Onsen & Spa Lumphini (Grande Centre Point Lumphini, MRT Lumphini): hot baths and massage, open until midnight.
- Divana Scentuara (Soi Somkid, near Lumphini): a Thai-house spa open 11:00–23:00, Thai massage ฿2,150 for 90 minutes.
- Banyan Tree Spa and COMO Shambhala on South Sathorn Road, a short walk from the park, for a hotel-spa evening (book ahead).
Tips for the night
- Book massages and spa treatments ahead for the evening of 24 November, especially near the river.
- Riverbanks facing Wat Arun, Asiatique and the Saphan Taksin and Sathorn Pier area get very crowded. Use the BTS and MRT rather than taxis, and give yourself extra time.
- A massage in the late afternoon, then the river at dusk, is a relaxed way to do the night. Wat Pho's pavilion takes its last order at 18:00 and Wanpho closes at 20:00, so go early.
- Carry small notes for krathongs, food and tips. Massage tips are about ฿50–100 an hour.