This sounds like a very special event. Anybody know where the best location would be to view it along the river in Bangkok?

"When Is Loy Krathong 2010?
Loy Krathong is celebrated during the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar and usually falls in November in western Gregorian calendar. This year, Loy Krathong 2010 will be celebrated on Sunday, 21 November 2010. While a popular festival, Loy Krathong is not marked as a public holiday in Thailand.

Thailand Loy Krathong 2010 Celebrations
In the night of the full moon, locals will float small rafts or Krathong in the river or on any bodies of water present in their area. Some even float the raft in a basin in the comfort of their own backyard. Thais believes that this gesture is to honor and pay homage to the Goddess of the water Phra Mae Khongkha. Some believe that it is to ask for forgiveness to the things that they have done to the rivers during the past years, hence it is done during the end of the year."

http://sgholiday.com/2010/10/loy-krathong-2010/

All of the major riverfront hotels in Bangkok have fireworks displays. If you are lucky, your hotel may give you a vantage point to see several displays at once. We can usually see three or four displays at once from the Royal Orchid.

Loy Krathong is AMAZING, we spent it in Chiang Mai one year, we hope to go back. It really is magical.

We will be in Phuket and intend to celebrate at Bang Wad reservoir.

Loy Kratong in Bangkok is amazing. The biggest fireworks displays in the city, I believe, are along the river from about the Marriott to the Hilton. Thousands of Thais (and falongs probably) lined the Saphan Taksin bridge for a great view. I don't know how you feel about getting wrapped up in such a huge throng, but it certainly was peaceful. Or it appeared to be peaceful. I was observing from a riverside apartment balcony, right near Taksin bridge, so that's why I saw all the people standing on the bridge.

Each hotel does its fireworks display separately...one after the other. It's really beautiful. You could probably find loy kratong video on youtube if you do a search.

Trying to get a riverside hotel room with a view at this point might be impossible??? I really don't know.

"Any major river thru out the town should be ok" The Chao Praya is the only major river through town.

Since it is on the night of the full moon, does that mean the holiday will be celebrated Sat night, instead of Sunday the 21st? The calendar of official holidays showed the 21st Nov. as the date but the article linked above mentions Sat the 20th. We will be in BKK on Sat night but are leaving for Chiang Rai on the 21st, and we're confused!

The official celebration will be on the Sunday 21st. You can still celebrate in Chiang Rai and they will have both the floating lantern and the Kratong on the water.

Enjoy!

Do we get to celebrate twice?

It is on 21st November this year.. Chao Phraya River do opening ceremony today at 7pm (thailand time) till 9 pm..
for the celebration you can actually do it everywhere. as long as the place is water based... some city people do float the krathong at home basin.

nowadays many hotels allow their guests to float krathong too.. CIO this link..the hotel mention they float krathong on the pool..
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/CompassHospitality

There have been decorated and lighted boats on the river every night since we arrived. I saw school children taking their krathongs home from school today.

Floating a krathong in a swimming pool just isn't the same.

If you are outside Bkk, just find a town with a river.
you'll be able to experience some "real" Thai culture.

I think that although some seaside towns do a good show, it's best on a river.

Had a great Loi Khratong evening - of course it had to end up by the sea. Will do a trip report later.

great night on the bk river