ms_katydid

We are thinking about spending our honeymoon in Thailand in November-December. Is it worth scheduling our visit to Chiang Mai during Loy Krathong? Where are most of the festivities? Do the resorts get really crowded? Will the crowds make seeing other Chiang Mai sights a problem? Thanks!

rhkkmk

i was in hua hin in 2002 for the celebration....it was quite lovely when they set the balloons off over the water in the nite sky with candles flickering in them...the marriott had a big celebration that nite as did many of the other hotels....the city also had festivities at the railroad station...
as far as crowds, isn't that part of any celebration??? you should probably book hotels early however...
i hate chiang mai so i am not the person to respond to this....i wonder what happens along the river in bkk on that day?? might be quite nice to be at the peninsula on that day??

ms_katydid

Thanks for your advice. Of course we are expecting it to be somewhat crowded. However, I was mostly wondering if it gets REALLY crazy. I've been at festivals where you can't even move because of the crowds (let alone find space in a restaurant or get in the doors at a museum).
Thanks!

Tangata

Loy Krathong is quite pleasant in Chiangmai and there should not be a problem with accommodation and so on. However, in the evening it can get very crowded and very noisy by the river? with fireworks, hot air balloons and hawkers. One nice place to view the activity from is ?The Gallery? but bookings are essential.

I have never managed it, but I believe that Sukhothai is an excellent place to visit during Loy Krathong ? the tradition started there. I understand that there is a sound and light show; again booking would probably be essential.

At the moment we are just beginning to cope with Songkran. Officially the holidays are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but many people are taking Monday and Friday off, so from today onwards we are on a war footing!

MikeBuckley

Tangata mentioned the Gallery Restaurant for viewing activities. The Riverside Bar and Restaurant and the Good View Restaurant are within a block or two of the Gallery, also on the river. Any of the three would be great, but I prefer the Gallery and Riverside.

If I were to go to the Gallery Restaurant, I would order the shrimp cakes. They're served as an appetizer designed for one but enough for four people. Or I would order them as a main course that would be enough for two. They're absolutely fabulous!

orgy7

in bkk it is one of the few times in the year when the royal barges are paraded on the chao paraya it is a big deal with fireworks and like shows. pluss every stream, pond and spit pudle is used too place the krathongs in,

cant help with chaing Mai, never been.

djk9473

I was lucky enough to be in Sukhothai for Loy Krathong a few years back and it was extraordinary! The ceremonial releasing of the flowerboats was quite moving and the light show and dance production were fantastic, too. In Sukhothai, the festival occurs at night among the gorgeous ruins and the crowds were not a problem at all. We came back the morning after the festival to tour the ruins and were amazed to find the area clean and tidy, almost as if there had not been a big event the night before. In short, Loy Krathong is not to be missed -- I'd try to make it to Sukothai or Chiang Mai if possible during that time.