Short answer
Loy Krathong falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full-moon night of the 12th lunar month. It is not a public holiday and has no ticket or fixed start: stalls sell krathongs from late afternoon, and Phuket 101 says the water is busiest from about 8 to 10 pm. People float krathongs at Patong Beach, in Phuket Town, at Karon's Nong Han park, Nai Harn Lake and the Laguna lagoons. Phuket 101 puts a simple krathong at 40 to 100 baht. Sky lanterns are banned near Phuket airport, and local authorities warn against private fireworks.
When is Loy Krathong in Phuket in 2026?
Loy Krathong is on Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full-moon night of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Diwali release of 30 October gives the same date and says three celebrations meet on that night: Dev Deepavali, Loi Krathong and Gurpurab. It is not a public holiday, and Thai Holiday Guide says banks and offices stay open. In 2027 it falls on Saturday 13 November, according to Phuket 101.
There is no ticket and no official start time. Phuket 101 says the krathong stalls light up after sunset and the water is busiest from about 8 to 10 pm. The Phuket News reported that in 2023 the festivities at every site started from about 6 pm. A Laguna hotel's guide advises you to arrive before sunset to find a place at the water.
Where can you float a krathong in Phuket?
Phuket floats krathongs wherever there is water, and each municipality runs its own site. Reports by The Phuket News in 2023 and 2025 and the 2026 guides of Phuket 101 and a Laguna hotel agree on the main places. Patong Beach is the biggest and busiest. The centre of the festivities is near the end of Bangla Road, and some people float from the pier at the southern end of the beach. Phuket Town held its official event at Suan Luang Rama IX Park in 2023, and Phuket 101 and the Laguna hotel's guide also name Saphan Hin, the seaside park, for the largest local gathering.
Karon's municipality uses Nong Han Public Park, and Phuket 101 says Karon also celebrates on the beach and at the lake behind it. Nai Harn Lake is a favourite with local families. In Chalong the usual places are Chalong Pier, Palai Pier and Wat Latthiwanaram, known as Wat Tai. Kamala uses the beach area of the Chalermprakiat 100th Anniversary Park. On the west coast, the Laguna lagoons near Bang Tao, the reservoir behind the Cherng Talay municipal office and Bang Ma Ruan in Thalang are smaller choices. Phuket 101 says even most hotels' swimming pools take part.
What happened in 2025, and what should you expect in 2026?
In 2025 Loy Krathong fell on 5 November, soon after Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, died on 24 October. The Phuket News reported on 29 October and 5 November 2025 that municipalities across the island cancelled or scaled back their events. Phuket City cancelled its annual festival but kept a floating pond at Suan Luang Rama IX Park. Patong went ahead without fireworks and with minimal music, and built a temporary pond on the beach at the end of Bangla Road to keep krathongs out of the sea. Karon and Cherng Talay kept quiet floating sites, while Rawai and Kathu cancelled their events. People were asked to wear black and white.
That is why last year's list is a guide to places, not to programmes. We found no 2026 announcements from Phuket's municipalities by 2 November. In 2023 and 2025 the plans were published five days to a week before the festival, so expect the 2026 details around 17 to 19 November. Check the announcement for the beach or park you want, and ask your hotel which site it recommends.
What do you buy, and what should a krathong be made of?
You need to prepare nothing. Phuket 101 says stalls selling krathongs appear near every beach, lake and pier from late afternoon, and that a simple krathong usually costs around 40 to 100 baht, with elaborate ones costing more. It tells visitors to buy a krathong made from a slice of banana tree trunk or from bread dough, and not to buy styrofoam. In 2023 Phuket Town's mayor asked people to follow the rule 'One Family, One Krathong'.
The Laguna hotel's guide gives more eco tips: use bamboo pins instead of metal ones, choose flowers that dissolve, float one krathong per group and remove any decoration that does not break down before you release it. Phuket 101 explains that the festival thanks the water goddess and apologises for dirtying the water, so keeping the water clean is part of the custom.
How do you float a krathong, and what is the etiquette?
Phuket 101 describes the steps: light the candle and the incense sticks, make a wish, and place the krathong gently on the water. Couples often float one each, hoping the two krathongs drift away together. The wind often blows out the candles, so shelter the flame until the krathong is on the water.
Keep to the places set up for floating, and do not wade out in the dark. The west-coast sea can still be rough in November, and Phuket 101 asks visitors to watch the red flags because riptides are treacherous; our guide to red flags and rip currents in Phuket explains the flags. The Laguna hotel's guide asks you to be respectful during prayers and blessings, to ask before photographing people at ceremonies, and to dress modestly at temples. At a temple site such as Wat Tai, our temple etiquette guide has the rules.
Are sky lanterns, fireworks and alcohol allowed?
Sky lanterns: no. Phuket 101 says releasing them is banned around Phuket airport under the Air Navigation Act, and that the police remind everyone every year. Airports of Thailand, which runs Phuket airport, issued a notice that The Phuket News reported on 15 November 2024. It warned that lanterns, fireworks, drones and lasers can endanger aircraft at six airports, Phuket among them. The Phuket News reported that the Air Navigation Act allows up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 baht, and that outside airport safety zones you need permission from local officials. The notice adds that a drone within nine kilometres of a runway needs prior authorisation; see our drone rules guide.
Fireworks: the municipalities organise their own displays, and private fireworks are not tolerated. Patong and Rawai warned against them in 2023. Alcohol: Loy Krathong is not one of the Buddhist holy days when sales are banned nationwide, and our alcohol hours guide explains the usual rules. However, police for the upper south, which includes Phuket, ran a 'liquor-free Loy Krathong' campaign in 2023, and in 2025 Patong banned alcohol sales in the public festival areas. The police also said in 2023 that entertainment venues must close at their legal time and that people under 20 may not enter them.
How do you get there and back on the night?
Choose one site near your hotel, and if it is within walking distance, walk. The Laguna hotel's guide calls Patong the festival at its largest scale. For Phuket Town it advises leaving Bang Tao by 4:30 pm, because it expects the roads into town to stand still by 6 pm. Treat that as one hotel's advice, not an official forecast. Ask your hotel whether it runs a shuttle: that hotel advertises one to Patong.
If you need a taxi or an app, our guides explain what to expect: Phuket taxi prices, meter and Grab and Grab or Bolt in Thailand. Agree the fare before you get in, and plan your return before you go, because the water is busiest from 8 to 10 pm.
Can you float a krathong on a tour?
Yes, on our Phang Nga Bay sunset sea canoe tour. A paddler takes you through the caves and hongs of Panak and Hong islands, dinner is served on the boat at sunset, and after dark you float a flower krathong and look for glowing plankton. The tour is from $115 per person, hotel pickup is between about 10:00 and 11:15 am, and you are back at your hotel at about 9:00 to 9:30 pm. The national park fees are included.
We have not set a special programme for 24 November. The krathong is floated in Phang Nga Bay, not at a beach festival, and plankton cannot be promised; our guide to glowing plankton in Phuket and Krabi explains why. If you want the stalls and crowds of Patong or Phuket Town, choose a different evening for the tour and keep 24 November for the festival. Ask us on WhatsApp about your date, and we confirm availability and the pickup time before you pay.
Practical checklist
- Pick one site near your hotel and arrive before sunset; the water is busiest from about 8 to 10 pm.
- Buy a krathong of banana trunk or bread for 40 to 100 baht, and never buy foam.
- Do not release a sky lantern or set off fireworks; near the airport the penalty can reach five years in prison.
- Do not wade out at night: check the red flags and the tide.
- Plan your way home before you go: a hotel shuttle, a booked driver or a walk.
- Check the municipality's announcement in the week before 24 November.
Questions and answers
When is Loy Krathong 2026 in Phuket?
Tuesday 24 November 2026, the full-moon night of the 12th lunar month. It is not a public holiday. In 2027 it falls on Saturday 13 November.
Where is the best place to float a krathong in Phuket?
Patong Beach is the biggest and busiest. Phuket Town has the largest local gathering, at Suan Luang Rama IX Park and Saphan Hin. Karon's Nong Han park, Nai Harn Lake and the Laguna lagoons are smaller sites. Municipalities announce their plans about a week ahead.
How much does a krathong cost in Phuket?
A simple krathong usually costs 40 to 100 baht, according to Phuket 101, and elaborate ones cost more. Choose banana trunk or bread, not foam.
Can I release a sky lantern in Phuket?
No. Releasing them is banned around Phuket airport, and Airports of Thailand warned in 2024 of penalties up to five years in prison or 200,000 baht. Phuket's festival happens on the water.
Is alcohol banned on Loy Krathong in Phuket?
Not nationwide, because Loy Krathong is not a Buddhist holy day. But police ran a liquor-free campaign in 2023, and Patong banned alcohol sales in its public festival areas in 2025. Ask your hotel about 24 November.
Can I float a krathong on a tour?
Yes, on our Phang Nga Bay sunset sea canoe tour, from $115 per person. We have not set a special programme for 24 November, so ask us about your date.