Loy Krathong

Held each November on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, Loy Krathong ranks among Thailand's most visually enchanting festivals, when small floating vessels called krathong, decorated with flowers, candles and incense, are released onto rivers, canals and lakes across the country as an offering of thanks and a symbolic release of misfortune. The festival's food culture unfolds alongside this ritual with equal vibrancy, particularly at Thailand's famous night markets.

Bangkok's Ratchada Train Night Market fills with grilled seafood and sweet desserts during the festival, while vendors throughout the country prepare kanom krok, delicate coconut pudding cooked in traditional cast-iron pans, alongside fried banana and coconut ice cream — treats that pair naturally with the festival's warm, candlelit evening atmosphere. A suggested culinary itinerary for the festival might begin in Bangkok's Chinatown at Yaowarat Road for dim sum, move through pad Thai for lunch, and continue to floating markets like Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa the following day, tracing the country's street food culture alongside its most photogenic celebration.

For visitors specifically drawn to Thailand's night market culture, Loy Krathong offers the single best occasion to experience it — river-lit lanterns overhead, and some of the country's most beloved street food dishes within easy reach on every side.