Bangkok:The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is collaborating with various sectors to organize an expansive Loy Krathong festival in 2026, featuring five key locations throughout the city. The event aims to preserve the charm of Thai culture along the waterways by connecting three temples and one fort.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thaiwut Khankaew, Permanent Secretary of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, chaired a meeting to prepare for the Bangkok Loy Krathong Festival 2026. He emphasized the significance of the Loy Krathong Festival as an enduring tradition in Bangkok, with this year's celebration being particularly special due to the distribution of activities across multiple areas. Government agencies and related partners, including the Prime Minister's Office and the Department of Cultural Promotion, have been invited to participate as hosts and supporters.
The festival is set to occur from November 17-29, 2026, with a focus on Mahakan Fort as a central location for traditional activities. The event will include demonstrations and cultural activities, linking the Loy Krathong tradition with temple fairs and other cultural events. A concept to promote historical districts as venues for annual events will also be implemented, highlighting historical heritage sites from the Rattanakosin era, including Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan, Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, Wat Thep Thidaram Worawihan, and Mahakan Fort.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the BMA has announced that the festival will have activities at five key locations, under the theme "Preserving Thai Traditions, Continuing the Rattanakosin Waterway." These locations include Rama VIII Bridge, Phra Sumen Fort, Klong Prem Prachakorn near Don Mueang Police Station and Wat Semian Nari, and Mahakan Fort, each offering a variety of cultural performances, contests, and demonstrations.
The event "Preserving Thai Traditions, Tracing the Rattanakosin Waterways 3 Temples and 1 Fort" will also be held during the festival period. Activities will include veneration of Buddha's relics, architectural tours, handicraft workshops, and more, aiming to promote cultural tourism and preserve Thailand's traditional heritage.
In preparation for the festival, the BMA has coordinated with external agencies for support in areas like public relations, cultural performances, security, and traffic management. The event is set to be officially announced at a press conference on November 13, 2026, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for November 24, 2026, at Mahakan Fort, where the Prime Minister is invited to preside over the ceremony.