How to Plan an Incredible Family Trip to Japan in 2023/2024. Learn more.
How to Make a Krathong for Loy Krathong: A Step by Step Guide

How to Make a Krathong for Loy Krathong: A Step by Step Guide

By CindyUpdated Aug. 24, 2023

An important part of celebrating the Thai Lantern Festival, Loy Krathong, in Thailand is participating in the tradition of making your own Krathong, or floating lantern. While many Thai people buy their krathongs today, making your own krathong is a great way to learn more about the festival and get involved in the celebrations.

releasing a krathong on loi krathong festival A Thai woman is releasing a krathong.

98.8% Positive Customer reviews among 10,000+

5 Easy Steps to Make a Krathong 

how to make a krathong step by step

1. Cut or slice a banana tree trunk. Banana tree slices are used to form the base of a traditional krathong. You can buy the prepared banana tree trunks before the Loy Krathong Festival.  

Banana tree slices used to make a krathong Banana tree slices used to form the base of a traditional krathong.

2. Cut banana leaves and cover your slice of banana tree with banana leaves. Cut out a long strip of a banana leaf then wrap it around the edge of your banana tree slice so that none of the wood is showing. Similarly, use a circular piece of banana leaf to cover the bottom of your slice of wood. You can attach the leaves to the wood using pins, tape, or toothpicks. Now that your base is complete.

3. Cut out many long strips of banana leaves, fold the leaves into petals, and attach them to the base. Most krathongs are meant to resemble the shape of a lotus flower, but it's okay to get a little outside of the box. You can use traditional shapes like triangles and diamonds or test your creativity by creating flowers and other interesting designs.

make a krathong A beautiful krathong

4. Decorate the krathong with flowers. Flowers that are commonly used to decorate krathongs include lotus, roses, marigolds, and orchids.

beautiful krathongs on loy krathong festival The beautiful krathongs decorated with colorful flowers

5. Place a small candle and three incense sticks in the krathong. Add the candle by placing a toothpick into the bottom and then pinning it to the center of the krathong. You can directly pierce the incense sticks into the base. The candle and incense should both be standing straight up (if they lean it can cause your krathong to capsize). You can also put other things in your krathong such as coins, nail clippings, hair, and bits of old clothes.

krathongs on river during loy krathong festival A small candle and three incense sticks in the krathong

Materials Needed to Make Your Own Krathong

Traditionally, krathongs are made from banana leaves and part of a banana tree. You can also make a krathong from bread and other biodegradable materials. We recommend making your krathong out of biodegradable materials so it doesn't damage the environment when released.

Here are some of the materials you will need to create a traditional Thai Krathong.

  • A slice of a banana tree trunk for a base
  • Banana leaves
  • Scissors
  • Wooden pins or toothpicks
  • A candle and some incense sticks
  • Decorative flowers
In only 10 days, enjoy Thailand’s Lantern Festival celebrations as well as plenty of beach relaxation and culture exploration:

What to Put Inside Your Krathong

Besides the sticks of incense and candles, the most common things to put inside a krathong are nail clippings, hair, and bits of old clothes. These items are used by Thai people to represent the past self and all the negative feelings from the last year. Adding these to a krathong symbolizes letting go of past actions and thoughts.

Coins can also be added to krathongs as a way of merit-making and wishing for good luck in future years. 

You can also add other personal items to your krathong that represent something important to you. These items can represent things you'd like to let go of or things you want to gain in the future. 

Recommended Articles

Krathong Making Tips

  • In order to make a loy krathong, make sure to completely cover the bottom and sides of your banana tree base with leaves so that it doesn't get waterlogged and sink.
  • Likewise, you will want to make sure that your krathong is not too top-heavy and that your candle and incense are centered as to not throw off the balance.
  • It's a good idea to do a float test in a sink or bathtub before heading out to a river or an ocean for the real deal.
  • If you want help making your loi krathong, you can participate in a krathong making class. During the class, an expert will teach you how to create a krathong and also explain the meaning behind the festival. Classes also provide the necessary materials so that you don't have to worry about going out and finding them yourself.
Make Thailand’s Lantern Festival part of a unique proposal, honeymoon, or anniversary celebration

More Things about Loy Krathong Festival

A krathong is a floating raft that is made from banana tree leaves and is used as a way to release bad luck during the Loy Krathong Festival. Loy Krathong is celebrated every year in Thailand in November by the whole country preparing their krathongs and releasing them on waterways, lakes, and oceans.

Krathongs normally contain personal items to symbolize the bad luck that a person is trying to release. They also contain incense and a candle which are commonly used in Buddhist temples as a way to honor the Buddha.

Krathongs come in many shapes and sizes and can be made from many different materials. During Loy Krathong, there are often competitions to see who can make the largest and most intricate floating lanterns.

There is a great deal of superstition surrounding these banana leaf rafts during the holiday. Many Thais believe that if the krathongs of two lovers float away together, their love will last forever. Conversely, if the krathongs separate or one capsizes or sinks, it means bad luck in the relationship.

Recommended Itinerary

Experience Thailand with Asia Highlights

Asia Highlights welcomes the chance to help you design your perfect trip to Thailand. Whether that includes experiencing Loy Krathong, Yi Peng, another festival, or just some time relaxing on the beach. Check out some of our example itineraries below for inspiration!

Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)

  • Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
  • Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
  • Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
Popular tours
Make the most of your time
Choose the best time to visit

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

We are here to help you...
Start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create My Trip
4.9 ExcellentTrustPilot rating TrustPilot Logo

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

The Asia Highlights Experience

1-to-1 Expert Planning

1-to-1 Expert Planning

Your tour will be tailor-made to suit you by a destination expert. Your personal travel advisor will always reply within 24 hours.

Personal Journeys

Personal Journeys

Enjoy having your own personal local guide and ride. Explore destinations at your own pace. Have as much flexibility as possible.

Authentic Experiences

Authentic Experiences

Go beyond the sightseeing. Understand the destinations by practicing the local culture and interacting with local people.

One-Stop Service

One-Stop Service

Leave all the booking work to us, including international and internal transportation, visas, hotels, meals, and activities.

Where Can We Take You Today?

About Us
At Asia Highlights, we are committed to providing you a premium, quality private tour, whether it's a milestone trip, family trip, or bucketlist trip — your planning will be made easy with just one specialist throughout. Know more ...
Rated 4.9 out of 5 | Excellent
China Highlights International Travel Service Co., LTD
Corporate Number: 914503003486045699
Featured on
Medias