Making Loy Krathong 2023 Eco-Friendly

A cool breeze that makes you want to snuggle, a relaxing waterside view, and a candlelit evening. That’s what makes Loy Krathong a romantic and sexy festival.

What’s not romantic and sexy is the clean-up afterwards. So to make this year’s Loy Krathong romantic, sexy, as well as garbage-free and eco-friendly. Here are 7 Loy Krathong 2023 tips and places to check out to make your celebration more eco-friendly.

1.) Put your krathong in a pond at a park instead

Image credit: สำนักข่าวไทย via Facebook

Traditionally, we’d go to a river or canal for Loy Krathong. That’s why some of the most popular spots are near bridges or riverside temples, like the Rama 8 Bridge.

The krathongs that come from these popular riverside spots, however, will ultimately end up in the ocean where it becomes a huge mess that only serves as garbage.

So instead of going to a flowing body of water, why not try a closed body of water instead?

Parks in the evening are not only romantic, but you even get to be close to nature which adds to the feel. It’s also much easier to clean up, as long as there’s not a massive amount of krathongs.

We recommend checking out Lumphini Park, Chatuchak Park, or Rot Fai Park.

Lumphini Park (สวนลุมพินี)
Address: Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Opening hours: 4.30am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +66 2252 7006 | Google Maps

Chatuchak Park (สวนจตุจักร)
Address: Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Opening hours: 4.30am-10pm, Daily
Google Maps

Wachirabenchathat Park (Rot Fai Park) (สวนวชิรเบญจทัศ (สวนรถไฟ))
Address: RH73+4RR, Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Opening hours: 4.30am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +66 2537 9221 | Google Maps

2.) Enjoy youthful vibes at a university

Image credit: Chulalongkorn University via Facebook

While it’s steeped in history and spiritual overtones, Loy Krathong, at its heart, is a youthful festival.

Yes, it’s a time for thanking the river god Khongkha (พระแม่คงคา). But historically, it was also a time when young Thais would get to meet each other and socialise.

That’s why universities are some of the most popular spots to Loy Krathong, even if they’re not always waterside. But in our case, that works out great because we’re going to be placing our krathongs into closed bodies of water just like we would in parks.

Some of the more popular universities to visit include Chulalongkorn and Kasetsart. We’d usually recommend Thammasat as well, but Loy Krathong is sandwiched between their practice and actual graduation ceremonies, so the traffic might be overkill.

You can check out details for Chula here and Kaset here.

Chulalongkorn University (จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)
Address: 254 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Contact: +66 2215 3555 | Google Maps

Kasetsart University (มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์)
Address: 50 Ngamwongwan Rd, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Contact: +66 2579 0113 | Google Maps

3.) Use a smaller, biodegradable krathongs

Image credit: pantip.com

Having been to Loy Krathong fairs along the Chao Phraya, I used to think intricate and extravagant krathongs are cool. Certainly, there’s beauty and craftsmanship in creating an elaborate krathong.

You shouldn’t let that get in the way of what the festival is all about though.

The spiritual side of Loy Krathong is all about thanking the river god for the many wonderful things that the river offers us – fertile lands, water way for transport, clean water for drink. It’d be an awful irony if our thanks to the river is wastefully extravagant and damaging to the very river we are thankful for.

That’s why a simple, smaller krathong is enough to show that you’re thankful. Because not only will it be lighter on your wallet, it’ll also be lighter on nature.

4.) Make it a romantic date: 2 people, 1 krathong

Image credit: pantip.com

There’s no getting around the fact that Loy Krathong is all about romance. Expect to feel like a stray third wheel if you’re going solo here because there’s bound to be couples everywhere.

All the elements of a romantic night out are there: a scenic view of the river, the evening atmosphere, a candlelit night, as well as chilly weather.

One surefire way to get even closer to your date is to offer to float your krathong together. Weasel your way in by using eco-friendliness as an excuse, just to show how good you are, while you’re hiding your true intentions elsewhere.

Just like that you’re closer to your date and you’re doing nature a favour. Or is it the other way around?

5.) Don’t put money in the krathong, donate to a charitable cause instead

Image credit: ก้อย-ตูน koytoonfamily via Facebook

It’s a tradition to place some money as offerings inside your krathong.

That money usually ends up being eaten by fish or garbage lying at the bottom of the river.

Why not put that money to a better cause instead? Express your gratitude to the river by donating to causes that will make a positive difference in the community.

If you have no idea where to start, why not help out this foundation that is helping stray dogs and cats in Thailand?

6.) It’s all about the digital krathongs

Screenshot: Sanook.com

Everything in Thailand is going digital, krathongs included.

With digital krathongs, you won’t have to worry about polluting the river at all, even at the most popular riverside locations.

We have a couple of options for you to choose from: Sanook or MThai which will give you an interactive krathong building experience including some design choices, a background, and even a partner.

7.) Rent, not buy, a costume for the traditional look

Image credit: @thaistudiogala via Instagram

Fashion can be highly damaging to the environment too. Fast fashion means tons of cheap clothes get made which is detrimental to the environment among many other issues.

So instead of buying a traditional costume that you’d rarely use, rent it instead.

You can find these types of clothes at your local wedding clothing store.

Enjoy a guilt-free eco-friendly Loy Krathong 2023

Loy Krathong is a beautiful festival as well as a wonderful excuse for a terrific night out with a special partner. With these tips, you can make sure that you won’t have to worry about other people suffering for your enjoyment.

If you want to learn more about Loy Krathong, check out these facts here. Alternatively, here’s a quick profile of Anntonia Porsild who just got 1st runner up at Miss Universe 2023.

Cover image adapted from: Chulalongkorn University via Facebook, pantip.com, and Sanook.com