# Nomad · Yi Peng / Loy Krathong: sources

Row #10 of `experiences_v1.csv` (research pass 3 Oct 2026, IST). Dates and deadlines come from `cal.py` (date check 4 Oct 2026, IST), which is the source of truth for dates, with the 4 Oct 2026 source-rule audit applied. The page deliberately shows **no prices** and no contact emails; see the official site.

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Name, place (Chiang Mai, Thailand), continent | https://radiochiangmai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/57/iid/544713 (primary) · https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ (secondary) |
| Usual timing: November (full moon, 12th lunar month) | https://radiochiangmai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/57/iid/544713 (primary) · https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ (secondary) |
| What you build / use: BUILD a banana-leaf krathong (or buy one from local makers) and float it; sky lanterns only at authorised events | https://radiochiangmai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/57/iid/544713 (primary) · https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ (secondary) |
| How a traveller takes part: Float a krathong on the Ping River (make one or buy one from a local maker); sky lanterns only where organisers say release is allowed | https://radiochiangmai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/57/iid/544713 (primary) · https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ (secondary) |
| Participation level: Build/Use (open to all) | https://radiochiangmai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/57/iid/544713 (primary) · https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ (secondary) |
| Entry requirements / deadline: Sky-lantern release rules in Chiang Mai: Unconfirmed: no official source. Release only at authorised events | https://radiochiangmai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/57/iid/544713 (primary) · https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ (secondary) |
| Verification note (research pass): Source audit 4 Oct 2026: travel-guide and unofficial festival-site links removed. 14 Oct 2026: 2026 dates (23–25 Nov) and the move of the main site to Ton Lamyai Market public park confirmed by the Thai Government Public Relations Department (Radio Thailand Chiang Mai, 24 Sep 2026); timing rule from TAT (full moon of the 12th lunar month). | experiences_v1.csv |
| Date: 23–25 Nov 2026: Yi Peng / Loy Krathong, Chiang Mai. Official: Chiang Mai Yi Peng 23-25 Nov 2026 (PRD Radio Thailand Chiang Mai, 24 Sep 2026); main site Ton Lamyai Market public park; Grand Krathong Parade contest on the Tha Phae Gate to City Hall route; 25 Nov is the usual parade night, but the official page does not name the day (not confirmed). Build/use: Make (or buy) a banana-leaf krathong and float it. How to join: Free on the Ping River; main city site is Ton Lamyai Market public park (moved from Tha Phae Gate); sky lanterns only at authorised venues. | https://radiochiangmai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/57/iid/544713 |
| Date: Nov 2027 · date TBC: Yi Peng / Loy Krathong 2027 (November full moon). 2027 dates not published. | https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ |
| Take-part route "Make a krathong and float it" (Workshop / open build): Make a banana-leaf krathong and float it on the Ping River. TAT lists krathong contests, a traditional Lanna lantern competition and a krathong sai ceremony around Chiang Mai's municipal area during Yi Peng. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above |
| Take-part route "Or buy one from local makers" (Use local gear): Buy a krathong from a local maker. Sky lanterns: release only at authorised events (official Chiang Mai rule page: Unconfirmed: no official source). | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above |
| Check note: 2026 dates: Unconfirmed: no official source. TAT says Loi Krathong falls on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month; its 2026 festival news isn't out yet. | CSV verification notes / dated items above |
| Check note: Sky-lantern restrictions in Chiang Mai: Unconfirmed: no official source. Release lanterns only at authorised events. | CSV verification notes / dated items above |
| Check note: Many 'official' lantern-ticket sites are commercial: we don't link them. | CSV verification notes / dated items above |

## Skills you'll need (section 03)

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Skills (this experience): Folding a banana-leaf krathong: petal folds pinned around a banana-trunk base; Using only biodegradable materials and decorating with flowers, a candle and incense; Sky-lantern rules: release only at authorised events | Skills research, checked 2026-10-04 (IST) |
| Difficulty (our estimate): Beginner; prep time (our estimate): 1 practice session (about 1 hour). Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures. | Curiosta editorial estimate |
| Refresher, practice and safety steps: Start with a round slice of banana trunk (or bread or another biodegradable base) as the float. / Cut banana-leaf strips and fold them into pointed petals; pin them in overlapping rows around the base with wooden pins or toothpicks, not staples or metal pins. / Top with flowers, one candle and three incense sticks; keep it small and light. / Test that it floats level in a bucket before taking it to the river. / Float it gently from a safe, lit spot on the Ping River; don't lean over railings or step onto slippery banks. / Sky lanterns: release only at authorised events. An official Chiang Mai page on current restrictions: Unconfirmed: no official source. / TAT promotes biodegradable krathong workshops; joining one is the easiest way to learn the folds. / Fold petals from any large leaf (banana leaf is easy to find in South India) or paper strips and pin them around a foam-free base. / Practise one full krathong and float-test it in a bucket. / Watch for local Loy Krathong or Kartik Purnima diya-float events to practise floating safely. / Biodegradable materials only; no foam, plastic, staples or metal pins. / Take care at river edges at night. / Release sky lanterns only at authorised events (Chiang Mai's rules: Unconfirmed: no official source). | Our summary of the resources below |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom)): Loi Krathong Festival 2024: Experience Thailand's Enchanting Festival of Lights: TAT overview including Chiang Mai's Yi Peng programme and biodegradable krathong-making workshops. | https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom)): Thailand marks rivers of light for the Loi Krathong Festival 2025: Shows TAT's eco-friendly banana-trunk krathong traditions (e.g. Mae Klong). | https://www.tatnews.org/2025/11/thailand-marks-rivers-of-light-for-the-loi-krathong-festival-2025/ |
| No official resource yet: No official krathong-folding guide yet, and no official Chiang Mai page on sky-lantern rules (Unconfirmed: no official source). | Skills research (gap recorded) |

See also: skills guide `skills/lanterns-and-floating-lights/`

## Source audit (4 Oct 2026, IST)

Official sources first; non-official sources only if the event community widely accepts them, with evidence. Links removed or replaced on this page (old links are shown as plain text, not linked):

- Old: `visit-thailand.org/culture/yi-peng-lantern-festival` → New: https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/. Why: Unofficial guide site. Replaced by TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand). TAT has not published 2026 dates, so the 23–25 Nov dates are removed and the item is month-level TBC (Unconfirmed). Sky-lantern rules marked Unconfirmed (no official Chiang Mai page).
- Old: `yipengchiangmailanternfestival.com` → Removed. Why: Unofficial festival-branded site. Removed.

## Check notes shown on the page

- 2026 dates: Unconfirmed: no official source. TAT says Loi Krathong falls on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar month; its 2026 festival news isn't out yet.
- Sky-lantern restrictions in Chiang Mai: Unconfirmed: no official source. Release lanterns only at authorised events.
- Many 'official' lantern-ticket sites are commercial: we don't link them.

## Our grouping

- Levels shown: Workshop / open build, Use local gear (our grouping of the CSV participation level "Build/Use (open to all)").
- Usual months used by the month filter: Nov.