Celebrate the enchanting Loy Krathong festival with your own handcrafted krathong! 

This traditional Thai lantern festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a magical occasion where people release beautifully decorated krathongs onto water bodies, symbolising the letting go of negativity and embracing new beginnings. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to create your own krathong and be part of this mesmerising celebration. Let’s get started!

How to Make Krathong for Loy Krathong

To make a krathong for Loy Krathong, shape a banana trunk or Styrofoam into a base. Afterward, decorate with leaves, flowers, incense, and a candle. 

You then fold a banana leaf into a cone and attach it to the base. Lastly, test it in water, then release it, making a wish. 

Step 1: Gather the required materials and ingredients

To begin making your krathong for Loy Krathong, gather all the necessary materials and ingredients. 

You will need banana leaves, colourful flowers, incense sticks, a small candle, a slice of banana trunk or a Styrofoam base, and any additional decorative items you desire.

Step 2: Take a slice of banana trunk or a Styrofoam base

Once you have all the materials ready, take a slice of banana trunk or use a Styrofoam base as the foundation for your krathong. This will be the central platform where you’ll decorate and assemble the rest of the elements.

Now, shape the slice of banana trunk or Styrofoam into a circular or lotus shape. 

The circular shape represents continuity, while the lotus shape symbolises purity and enlightenment. Create a smooth and stable base that will hold all the decorations securely in place.

Step 3: Cover the base with banana leaves

Take the shaped slice of banana trunk or Styrofoam base and begin covering it with fresh banana leaves. Arrange the leaves neatly and overlap them slightly to ensure the entire base is concealed. 

The banana leaves act as a natural, biodegradable covering, providing a sturdy foundation for the decorative elements and ensuring the krathong floats gracefully on the water during the enchanting Loy Krathong festival.

Step 4: Cut banana leaf into square/rectangle

Moving on to the floating part of the krathong, take another banana leaf and cut it into a square or rectangular shape. This leaf will form the foundation for the cone shape that will hold the candle and float on the water. 

Opting for a square or rectangular shape allows for easier folding and shaping, ensuring a stable and well-balanced krathong.

Step 5: Fold the leaf diagonally to form a triangular shape 

Take the banana leaf that you’ve cut into a square or rectangular shape and hold it in your hands. Fold the leaf diagonally by bringing one corner across to the opposite corner, creating a well-defined triangle. 

Be careful not to crease it too hard at this stage, as you’ll need to unfold it again in the next step.

Step 6: Roll the leaf into a cone shape

Now, start rolling the banana leaf gently but firmly from one corner of the triangle towards the opposite corner. 

As you roll, the leaf will naturally take the shape of a cone, with the pointed end coming together. Ensure that you roll it tightly enough so that the cone maintains its form.

Step 7: Attach the cone-shaped leaf to the decorated base

With the cone-shaped leaf ready, carefully place it at the centre of the decorated base. The small candle should be at the base of the cone, securely positioned on the decorated platform. 

If necessary, use a gentle adhesive or tie a thin string around the base of the cone to secure it to the platform. This will prevent the cone from detaching and keep the candle in place during the ceremony.

Step 8: Decorate the base with colourful materials

With the shaped base in hand, it’s time to unleash your creativity! Start adorning the base with the vibrant banana leaves, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing pattern. 

Embrace the traditional Thai art of folding banana leaves into intricate designs or simply place them elegantly around the base. Add an array of colourful flowers, such as marigolds or jasmine, to infuse your krathong with a kaleidoscope of colours. 

Step 9:  Put a small candle to the centre of the base

Now that your base is beautifully decorated, it’s time to add a crucial element to your krathong – the small candle. Carefully place the candle at the centre of the decorated base, making sure it sits firmly and securely. 

The candle holds profound symbolism during Loy Krathong as it represents the light of knowledge, wisdom, and gratitude that illuminates life’s path.

Don’t forget to insert fragrant incense sticks, adding a touch of mystique to your krathong.

Step 10: Repeat the process to make more krathongs

If you’re planning to participate in the Loy Krathong festival with family or friends, it’s wonderful to create multiple krathongs. To make more krathongs, simply repeat steps 2 to 9 with the gathered materials. 

Each krathong can be personalised with unique decorations, and having multiple ones allows everyone to make their wishes and offerings.

Step 11: Test the buoyancy in a small bowl of water

Before releasing your beautifully crafted krathongs onto a river, lake, or any other body of water, it’s essential to check their buoyancy. 

Gently place each krathong in a small bowl of water to ensure it stays afloat steadily and doesn’t tip over. If you find any issues with a krathong sinking or being unsteady, make necessary adjustments to enhance its floating ability. 

This step helps ensure a smooth and magical experience during the Loy Krathong festival, as your krathongs gracefully glide on the water, carrying your hopes and wishes.