Alternative activities that still embody the spirit of the Loy Krathong festival
This year, we saw and felt the effects of environmental degradation and mindless garbage disposal like never before, from dead sea creatures turning up ashore with bellies full of plastic waste to hazardous chemicals leaking into lakes and rivers. So this year, on Loy Krathong, do your part to prevent more waste ending up in our waterways by not floating krathong made of non-biodegradable waste such as styrofoam and plastic.
Instead, why not engage in the following alternative activities that still embody the spirit of the festival.
Nowhere else does Loy Krathong like the Golden Mount or Wat Saket. The temple hosts a week-long fair and carnival with classic attractions like the Ferris wheel, haunted house and the dunk tank. Treat yourself to Thai delicacies from many street food stalls before sweating out what you ate by climbing up 344 steps to reach the top of the temple. A 360-degree view of the city and the stunning sunset await.
The annual cultural event offers free boat rides to 10 spots along the Chao Phraya River, including Maharaj Pier, Yodpiman Riverwalk, Asiatique The Riverfront, Sooksiam@Iconsiam, Lhong1919, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Rakhang, Wat Kalaya and Wat Prayoon. These destinations have stalls selling sweet and savory Thai delights, as well as fun activities such as carnival games, Ferris wheel rides and cultural performances. Dress up in a traditional Thai costume to really get into the spirit of things.
Riverside hotels such as the Royal Orchid Sheraton and the Shangri-La offer special Loy Krathong dinner packages that come with front-row seats to extravagant performances. See a complete list of Loy Krathong dining deals here.
If you want to see the fireworks but don’t want to empty your wallet with a lavish dinner at a five-star riverside hotel, then drop by one of the rooftop bars around the Rattanakosin area. Budget-friendly choices include Jham Jun Bar and Bistro, Top Knot, 342 Bar, and Sky Bar. On the more bougie side, you have The Rooftop at Sala Rattanakosin or Three Sixty Lounge.
Instead of buying household products that come in plastic packaging, head to one of the many bulk stores the city has to offer and refill your empty containers with what you need. Refill Station, the OG bulk store in Thailand, dispenses cleaning, laundry and bodycare products from huge bottles into smaller refillable containers. They also sell silicone lunch boxes and reusable menstrual cups. Another eco-friendly store, Zero Moment, offers everything from imported spices to handmade soaps. Like in Refill Station, visitors are encouraged to bring their own containers, but if needed, free paper bags and cheap reusable containers are available.
Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) is a Bangkok-based non-profit organization that collects surplus food from restaurants, hotels, retailers and the general public that would have otherwise gone to the garbage bin. The foundation segregates the food, ensures that they meet the standards of food safety, and then gives them to those in need. To become a surplus food donor, check out www.scholarsofsustenance.org/food-donors.
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