Rows outside GetYourGuide are reference points with no partner link; the Princess data comes from a 2026 page, the Manohra data from an undated reseller page.

The date, and why to book early

Loy Krathong follows the full moon of the 12th lunar month. For 2026 most sources give Tuesday 24 November (Ministry of Culture calendar, the Sukhothai listing, cruise departures); one source says the 25th. We found no Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) page that settles it, so write "around 24 November, date to be confirmed" and choose a cancellable offer, or one dated for the right evening. For the festival itself, see Loy Krathong in Bangkok; for the whole month, what to do in Bangkok in November.

Loy Krathong dinner cruise (main offer)

This is the offer we put first: a river dinner designed for festival night. We could not read the listing details (pier, time, drinks): open it and check those points before paying. See the listing.

5-star luxury cruise

For a more polished boat, search results mention a buffet, Thai shows and fireworks, from about $66. Our guide to ordinary dinner cruises shows a much more expensive premium option: the price depends on the package, so read it in full. See the listing.

The Planet, cheapest but with a surcharge

Three decks, departing from Asiatique, with a Thai, international and grilled buffet. The "from" price of about $48 does not apply on festival night: the listing mentions an 800 THB holiday surcharge on Loy Krathong day. We did not record the listing's exact path, so there is no link: search for "The Planet Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise" on GetYourGuide.

Other departures: ICONSIAM, River City, Asiatique

According to resellers, the Chao Phraya Princess leaves from ICONSIAM on 24 November 2026 (three hours, one krathong per person, no cancellation). 2025 listings give about 2,000 THB for the Princess and 3,000 to 3,500 THB for the Wonderful Pearl from River City, with buffet, band and krathong included: these are last year's prices. The Asiatique pier also hosts departures.

Pitfalls of the evening

  • Surcharge and prices: prices rise on festival night; read the "holiday supplement" line.
  • Cancellation: several festival-night offers are non-refundable.
  • Boarding crowds: one review mentions a wait of more than 1.5 hours; arrive at check-in time.
  • Traffic: river shuttles and the BTS are packed; allow extra time to get back.
  • Regular operators: White Orchid does not sail that night (see dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya for other evenings).

Floating a krathong for free

You do not need a cruise for the tradition. In 2025 the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) opened 33 parks from 5 am to midnight, including Lumphini Park; Benjakitti Park appeared on earlier lists, but its status varies from year to year. Krathongs must be made of natural materials; alcohol and fireworks are banned in the parks. On the night, Asiatique, ICONSIAM and the piers of the Chao Phraya also offer krathongs. We did not find the 2026 list: reconfirm with the BMA or TAT a few days before.

And in Chiang Mai?

The sky lanterns of Yi Peng are a different evening, in Chiang Mai: see Yi Peng 2026, dates and tickets and which lantern evening to book.

FAQ

Which cruise should I choose for Loy Krathong? The GetYourGuide Loy Krathong dinner cruise for simplicity, the 5-star cruise for comfort.

When is Loy Krathong in 2026? Around 24 November 2026, official date to be confirmed.

Can I float a krathong for free? Yes, in the parks opened by the BMA and on the riverside, with a natural krathong. 2026 list to be confirmed.

Is there a surcharge? For The Planet, the listing mentions an 800 THB holiday surcharge on the day of the festival.

Are the prices guaranteed? No: noted on 20 October 2026, they change with the date.