BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has invited Thais and international visitors to celebrate the 2025 Loy Krathong Festival, reaffirming tourism’s role as a driver of sustainable national growth. Before the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Oct 21), the Prime Minister met with Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakon and executives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to review plans for two major upcoming events—the “Maha Loi Krathong World Event” and “Vijit Chao Phraya 2025.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, and Culture Minister Zabeeda Thaised also joined the presentation. Officials outlined both festivals as key cultural and tourism showcases intended to attract visitors, support local economies, and promote Thai traditions through creative experiences across the country.
The Maha Loi Krathong World Event will take place in two heritage cities. In Sukhothai, celebrations will run from October 27 to November 5 at Wat Chana Songkhram and Tra Phang Tra Kuan Pond within Sukhothai Historical Park, transforming the site into a display of light and art that honors the ancient Sukhothai civilization. In Ayutthaya, festivities will be held from November 2 to 6 at Wat Phra Ram, featuring light-and-sound shows that blend the city’s UNESCO World Heritage legacy with modern storytelling and local artistry.
Complementary Loy Krathong celebrations will also be held nationwide, including the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, the 1,000 Lanterns Floating Festival in Tak, the Banana-Sheath Krathong Festival in Samut Songkhram, and the Somma Nam Khuen Pheng Seng Prathip Festival in Roi Et. Each event will combine traditional ceremonies with regional performances to highlight Thailand’s cultural richness.
Running from November 1 to December 15, the “Vijit Chao Phraya 2025” festival will feature light, sound, and multimedia shows across 15 landmarks along both sides of the Chao Phraya River, including Wat Arun, Memorial Bridge, Rama VIII Bridge, Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum, ICONSIAM, and the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters. The program includes synchronized drone shows every Friday at Rama VIII Bridge and fireworks displays at Memorial Bridge each weekend. (NNT)
