Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya River 2026: Date, Where to Float, Where to Eat

Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya River means floating a krathong on Bangkok's main river on the night of the full moon of the 12th lunar month. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026. The Phra Athit Road area is a popular spot for floating a krathong by the river because Santichaiprakarn Park sits right on the water, and there are restaurants nearby where you can eat while watching the krathongs drift past, such as Coco Chaophraya at 49/1 Phra Sumen Road, behind Baan Chao Phraya.

When Is Loy Krathong 2026, and Is It a Holiday?

This year Loy Krathong falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the 15th waxing day of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar. It is not a public holiday, so most people go after work, and the busiest time is from dusk until about 21:00 (Thansettakij, in Thai).

• Sunset in late November in Bangkok is around 17:50, and it gets dark soon after
• Full moon — on the night of the full moon the moon rises in the east in the early evening and reflects beautifully on the water

Where to Float a Krathong on the Chao Phraya Near Phra Athit Road

The closest spot is Santichaiprakarn Park, the riverside park with Phra Sumen Fort. In 2024 the BMA named it as one of the public parks open for Loy Krathong (Time Out Bangkok, in Thai). The BMA announces the list of parks for 2026 before the festival, so check the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's page or website again before you travel.

The advantage of this area is that everything is close together. After floating your krathong, a riverside restaurant is a few minutes' walk away, with no need to move the car or find new parking. For other riverside parks nearby, read 5 parks on the Chao Phraya River.

Loy Krathong Without Leaving Rubbish in the River

Every year after Loy Krathong night, the BMA has to collect huge numbers of krathongs from the river. Choosing the right krathong really does help keep the Chao Phraya clean.

1. Choose natural materials — banana leaf, banana trunk, coconut husk or a bread krathong that fish can eat
2. Avoid foam, plastic and metal pins — use wooden toothpicks instead of pins
3. One krathong per family or couple — fewer krathongs in the river, same meaning
4. Watch young children near the bank — it is crowded and the riverside can be slippery

Where to Eat by the River After Loy Krathong

After floating their krathongs, many people like to sit for a while and watch the candlelight on the water. Coco Chaophraya is at the end of Phra Athit Road, behind Baan Chao Phraya, right on the river with a view of Rama 8 Bridge lit in gold. We are open every day from 10:00 to 23:00.

• With family — tom yum goong in a young coconut, old-style sea bass luiy suan and pad thai with prawns are all easy to share, and we have high chairs
• As a couple — pick a table on the terrace and share a pasta or pizza. For more riverside dinner ideas, see Rama 8 Bridge view restaurant
• As a large group — call or message us on LINE to book so we can put tables together; see Riverside party restaurant on the Chao Phraya for planning tips

Riverside tables fill up fast on Loy Krathong night, so book on 02-281-9918 or LINE @cocochao. See the whole menu on the Coco Chaophraya menu.

About us: Coco Chaophraya has been open for more than 10 years. We started at the front of Baan Chao Phraya before moving to the Chao Phraya riverside. Our chefs have more than 10 years of experience, and our professional baristas have more than 10 years of experience making coffee.

Summary: Loy Krathong on the Chao Phraya River 2026

• Loy Krathong 2026 falls on Tuesday 24 November and is not a public holiday
• Spot near Phra Athit Road: Santichaiprakarn Park (check this year's BMA list of parks before you go)
• Choose a krathong made of natural materials, one per family
• Afterwards, have dinner by the river at Coco Chaophraya, open until 23:00; book a riverside table in advance