Bangkok opens parks for Loy Krathong: tradition meets environmental protection!

Bangkok opens parks for Loy Krathong: tradition meets environmental protection!

On October 21, 2025, Bangkok City Speaker Ekwaranyu Amrapal signed a significant order: The city's public parks will be opened in honor of the Loy Krathong Festival. The Governor of Bangkok, Chatchat Sittiphan, wants to promote Thai culture and tradition with this initiative. Citizens have the opportunity to commemorate and pay respect to the water goddess Phra Mae Khongkha.

The Loy Krathong Festival will take place on Wednesday, November 5th this year. To celebrate the festival, the city of Bangkok will open 33 parks in 21 districts from park opening until midnight. The selection is wide and offers something for everyone. Particularly popular parks include:

• Lumpini Park (Bezirk Pathum Wan)
• Chatuchak Park, Wachirabenchathat Park (Eisenbahnpark) (Bezirk Chatuchak)
• Santhichai Prakan Park, Saranrom Park, Rommaninat Park (Bezirk Phra Nakhon)
• Benjasiri Park, Benjakitti Park (Bezirk Khlong Toei)
• Rama 8 Park (Bezirk Bang Phlat)
• u.v.m.

The parks are a great place to reflect the traditions of this festival. But hand in hand with the celebration also comes responsibility for the environment and awareness of the waste problem. Therefore, people are asked to use krathongs made from natural materials such as banana leaves to reduce water pollution. Draining Styrofoam Krathongs and using bread or animal feed is strictly prohibited in the parks.

Another striking aspect is that each family should only use one krathong to leave a more sustainable footprint. The lighting, release and sale of lanterns, fireworks and alcoholic beverages will also be prohibited to maintain the peaceful atmosphere of the festival. Those looking for an environmentally conscious option this year can take part in an online krathong promotion taking place on November 5 from 5 a.m. to midnight on the website greener.bangkok.go.th.

Data from recent years shows a positive trend towards environmentally friendly practices: a total of 514,590 krathongs were collected in 2024, of which 98.39% were made of natural materials. This represents a significant decrease in the use of Styrofoam compared to previous years. In 2023 there were 639,828 Krathongs, and a similar trend was observed in 2022 with 572,602 Krathongs. These successes are not only the result of separate clean-up operations, but also an expression of increased environmental awareness among citizens.

But how does the Waunh, which runs through the traditions of appreciating water and nature, also show up in other events? Next year, the Bangkok River Festival 2024 will attract visitors with free shuttle boat rides along the Chao Phraya River. This event will take place from Thursday to Saturday. Guests can visit historical sites such as Wat Pho and Wat Arun and explore the IconSiam shopping center.

Overall, the Loy Krathong Festival is not only a celebration of tradition and culture, but also an important opportunity to promote environmentally friendly choices and raise awareness about water conservation. The combination of customs and sustainability could be seen as the pulse of the times in the Thai capital. Celebrate with us and show that you care about both tradition and the environment.

For more detailed information about the festival and its initiatives click on the links: Line, Bangkokbiznews and Nation of Thailand.