I'll be arriving on the 10th. Where is the best spot in the city to experience Loy Krathong for the first time?

Thanks!

I like Thapae Gate because it is not dangerous, but on the river is probably best.

I agree with Ulysses, Thapae Gate is a good location and not dangerous, but very crowded and no river, thus no Krathong

Personally, ever year, I go to Kawila Park; it's a small park on the eastern side of the river, just in front of Kawila Army Camp (the park belongs to the army, so less problem , no drunkards and other stupid firecrackers addicts). There you can buy Khom Loys and Krathongs and release them in a quiet and nice family atmosphere.

http://www.yellow.co.th/Chiangmai/Chiangma...hp?mode=citymap

AVOID : Naowarat Bridge

PS : A fantastic place to see the Khom Loys, is Mae Jo. But make sure you go there early 'cause it's very popular.

Loy Krathong 2008 / Schedule

http://www.indigochiangmai.com/wordpress/?p=127

I saw Krathongs being placed in the moat last year at the Thapae Gate area although it is nothing compared to what is seen on the Ping river. But I would like to say 'home' is the safest place to be...

So it's a big dangerous drunk-fest? It's promoted as a lovely sky lantern, floating candle fest.

Tourists come from all over the world to experience Loy Krathong. I'm arriving in time for the festival but not because of it.

I wasn't sure where to go to see it at it's best.

I saw Krathongs being placed in the moat last year at the Thapae Gate area although it is nothing compared to what is seen on the Ping river. But I would like to say 'home' is the safest place to be...

So it's a big dangerous drunk-fest?

Of course not, but like everywhere in the world, where there are a lot of people (drinking and playing with firecrackers and other inmflammable stuff...), better be careful. Especially in Thailand; even though the majority of Thai people are very nice and peaceful, while drunk, things can be different...

The problem in CM is that, each time there's a big festival (Songkhran and/or LK), all the teenagers from the neighboring villages come downtown to have "fun". Usually they already are or become drunk while they're wandering (usually) around Naowarat Bridge and can be aggressive.

Saw some bad fights there the past 3 years. Usually Thai groups (no farangs involved), but last year, while just passing there with a friend, on our way to Kawila, a group of young Thai idiots tried to make bullshit for no apparent reason (maybe just because we were farangs ?), we just ignored them and kept going...

Well, basic rule for staying out of trouble in Thailand :

- Stay away from Thais wor are apparently drunk.

- Stay away from tall, bald, tatooed "farangs" wearing a shirt from any Premier League team...

- Stay away from groups of young Israelis (easy to recognise them; minimum 6 of them in the same Tuk-Tuk in order to save 10 THB...)

Happy Loy Krathong

So it's a big dangerous drunk-fest? It's promoted as a lovely sky lantern, floating candle fest.

Tourists come from all over the world to experience Loy Krathong. I'm arriving in time for the festival but not because of it.

I wasn't sure where to go to see it at it's best.

The "downtown" area, near Thapae Gate, is very nice and safe with lots of decorations, parades and such and police make sure that people are careful with fireworks. It has changed a lot from years ago when I would lock myself in my room for 3 nights.

Down by the river seems to be more "fun", but a lot less supervised.

Two good river spots I have seen for kratong launchings:

1) East side of the river just under and next to the upstream side of the Superhighway bridge - they usually build a bamboo platform down by the water. Stalls for food and kratongs etc - all nice and natural........ very Thai without the drunken-ness.

2) West side of the river adjacent to the next (smaller) bridge upstream at Ban Tho close to the regular market. I went there last year and will again this year - very laid-back, fun and friendly and also very Thai. I'll go there again this year - plenty of photo opportunities, too.

We always take the kids early down to the river, if you haven't seen Loy Kratong before you should check it out down there. One year booked a riverside restaurant and released the kratongs there, very peaceful.

Noticed despite the supposed ban on lanterns there were plenty a flight last night.

We always take the kids early down to the river, if you haven't seen Loy Kratong before you should check it out down there. One year booked a riverside restaurant and released the kratongs there, very peaceful.

Noticed despite the supposed ban on lanterns there were plenty a flight last night.

Yes, going to a restaurant near the river is a also a very good idea . Personally I'd recommend the Tha Nam, end of Chang Khlan road, pass the Rati Lanna Riverside Spa Resort (formerly Sofitel), second restaurant on the left after the curve

[email=http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/066/dining.shtml]http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/066/dining.shtml[/email]

But, anyway, there are plenty of very nice and delicious restaurants all alongside the Ping River.