What to buy for a Loy Krathong festival

A Loy Krathong festival needs more than krathongs and decorations. Plan supplies for food service, drinks, seating, lighting, signs and safe movement around the water point. Buy or hire reusable tableware, serving equipment and weather protection early, especially if attendance is confirmed through registrations. This checklist helps you estimate quantities and spot items that are often left until the last minute, such as extension cords, ice, name badges and lantern lighting.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 100
Buffet tablesqty 4
High tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 14

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable bowlsqty 120
Reusable glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 100
Knivesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving bowlsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 8

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Waterproof work traysqty 8
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 20
LED candlesqty 30

Decorations

Paper lanternsqty 30
Thai flagsqty 6
Flower garlandsqty 8
Decorative clothsqty 8
Krathong basketsqty 120
Banana leavesqty 150
Flower decorationqty 120
Bamboo sticksqty 200
Wooden skewersqty 200
Craft table runnersqty 4
Information boardsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Waste sorting binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Rubber glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Jasmine rice - 10 kilograms
- Rice noodles - 4 kilogram
- Coconut milk - 16 cans
- Red curry paste - 4 jars
- Green curry paste - 4 jars
- Soy sauce - 4 bottles
- Fish sauce - 3 bottles
- Oyster sauce - 3 bottles
- Sweet chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Sriracha sauce - 3 bottles
- Peanut sauce - 4 jars
- Sesame oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Cane sugar - 2 kilograms
- Coconut blossom sugar - 1 kilogram
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Chili flakes - 250 gram
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Cumin powder - 150 grams
- Coriander powder - 150 grams
- Garlic - 1 kilogram
- Ginger - 750 grams
- Lemongrass - 20 pieces
- Limes - 40 pieces
- Thai basil - 12 bunches
- Coriander - 12 bunches
- Mint - 8 bunches
- Spring onions - 12 bunches
- Onions - 4 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Chinese cabbage - 6 pieces
- Bean sprouts - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Green beans - 3 kilograms
- Broccoli - 8 heads
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Pineapple - 6 pieces
- Mangoes - 8 pieces
- Bananas - 3 bunches
- Shredded coconut - 1 kilogram
- Peanuts - 1.5 kilograms
- Cashews - 1 kilogram
- Tofu - 4 kilograms
- Chicken thighs - 6 kilogram
- Shrimp - 4 kilograms
- Eggs - 10 cartons
- Spring roll wrappers - 10 packs
- Rice paper - 8 packs
- Kroepoek - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Coconut cookies - 8 packs
- Mango sticky rice - 100 servings
- Coconut ice cream - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Ginger ale - 8 bottles
- sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Mango juice - 8 cartons
- Lychee juice - 6 packs
- Coconut water - 6 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon tea - 2 boxes
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cane sugar sachets - 500 pieces
- Ice cubes - 25 kilogram
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls

Tips

Order krathong-making materials and decorations early enough to make some krathongs in advance. Keep a small reserve for damaged pieces and late registrations.
For drinks, allow two to three servings per person for the first hour, then about one serving per person per hour. Add extra water and keep cold drinks in coolers with ice.
Plan at least one reusable plate, bowl, glass, knife, fork and spoon per guest, plus roughly 10% spare tableware. Provide serving spoons and serving bowls separately so guests do not use eating utensils at the buffet.
Use one buffet table for every 25 to 30 guests and keep food warmers, serving trays and cutting boards ready before the venue opens. Print menus and dietary information before food is put out.
Check every light arch, lantern, speaker and microphone at least two hours before guests arrive. Bring extension cords and power strips, and keep cables away from walkways and the water point.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Loy Krathong festival?: Plan for krathong materials, decorations, food, drinks, reusable tableware, buffet equipment, lighting and basic sound equipment. For each guest, allow one complete place setting plus about 10% spare items, and provide two to three drinks for the first hour.
How many drinks do I need for a Loy Krathong festival?: A practical starting point is two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Buy extra water for warm weather and keep chilled drinks in coolers with enough ice.
How much tableware do I need for a festival buffet?: Prepare at least one plate, bowl, glass, knife, fork and spoon per registered guest, plus 10% spare. Add separate serving spoons, serving bowls and trays so buffet food can be served without using guest tableware.
When should I buy Loy Krathong decorations and lighting?: Order krathong materials, lanterns and other decorations at least two to four weeks before the festival. Test string lights, LED lanterns, LED candles, extension cords and power strips no later than two hours before opening.

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