Loy Kratong in Hat Yai

[Seastallion]

Where's the best place to go? Klong Hae?

Wife suggested that the new floating market at Hat Yai Nai might not be supporting it as it is Muslim owned.

[TSF]

I lived in HatYai for a while and remember going to the Municipal park for one Loy Krathong, that was nice there and there are large ponds/lakes in the park. Other years I went to parties held at big hotels, and other times I went out to Songkhla for Loy Krathong at Samila Beach.

[phuketsub]

Not a fan, but the biggest will surely be at the municipal park on Kanjanawanich Rd, west of the military camp.

Advice; go early, get in and out quick, wear earplugs...and if any thugs ask you for money to park "otherwise we cannot protect your vehicle from harm", take it as a direct threat.

[Seastallion]

Thanks Phuketsub....sounds like I will not be going to the municipal park.

We might just hitch with the neighbours and go where they go.

[rajyindee]

The reservoir behind the Sports Complex in PSU. Alternatively, in Songkhla at Rajabhat Uni.

Edited November 3, 2014 by rajyindee

[Stocky]

We usually walk over to Wat Hat Yai Nai. It's usually busy both in the temple compound and in the narrow streets surrounding with plenty of food stalls as well as people selling ready made krathongs.

There are steps down to the river and there will be a couple of men in the water who will see your krathong launches ok for a small donation.

[garrya]

There is a small pond near the Diana. That is also good as it is easy to get in and out.

[Stocky]

It's most likely to rain anyway.

[recom273]

We went to the park last year and never experienced the thugs .. but TBH it wasn't all that.

Even up on the paved area, Its hard to get to the waters edge with all the slippery roots - the candles and incense sticks wouldn't light / stay lit. Theres people everywhere. Im surprised no one fell in.

Make / take a Kratong with you as they are way too expensive there, yet people buy them en-mass.

I'm not a fan, theres a huge waste connected with the whole thing ( although you can buy / make a bread one ) the park staff must be dragging banana stumps out of the lake for the the next couple of days.

Have you ever been to the other floating market ? ( i forget the name ) I think that would be a nice location where we may go this year .. Coming from Songkhla, turn right at the traffic lights before the road branches to KH market .. follow the road down a fair way, the temple is on the right.

[TSF]

I think most enjoyable Loy Krathongs I had down that way we went to big parties held at the hotels. Remember one at JB Hotel, we were all indoors in a function room adjacent to the swimming pool, being farang I (and all the other farang hubbies/BFs) weren't particularly interested in floating krathongs, so we sat around talking & drinking while our tiraks went to the pool area. The pool was decorated with lights and flowers and Thai musicians were playing. It was nice and everyone enjoyed it.

[recom273]

I didn't believe what i saw ..

Wat KH has started its loi kratong celebrations a day early .. it was quite busy, a fair few cars on the road and the improv-carpark round the back.

[Stocky]

Well it didn't rain for a change, and we even saw the Moon. We didn't go to Wat Hat Yai Nai, but instead went the other way toward Wat Takien where there's access to the river from the small recreation park. Lots of people, plenty of krathong sellers and food stalls. It was pretty watching the stream of krathongs heading down the river.