CityNews – Chiang Mai’s air traffic control centre has set out rules for the release of flying sky lanterns during this week’s Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals. The aim is to stop them jeopardising flight safety, the National News Bureau of Thailand reported.
Thousands of lanterns were released into the sky over Mae Jo on October 25 as part of a kathin or robe-offering ceremony at a temple. Photo: Weerasak Panyachod.
The centre has designated ‘level 1’ and ‘level 2’ restricted zones. No flying lanterns are allowed to be released in level 1 zones, and in level 2 areas the centre must be notified seven days in advance of any release.
Residents living near Chiang Mai Airport and along flight paths have been asked to notify the centre in advance and release them only after 9pm, when there is no air traffic.
In Chiang Rai, people within an 8km radius of Mae Fah Luang Airport are asked to release the lanterns only after 9.30pm, and to give seven days’ advance notice of any planned release outside the time period.
CityNews reported last week that more than 100 flights to or from Chiang Mai Airport had been cancelled due to the annual Yi Peng festival, in which thousands of flying lanterns are released into the skies. The cancellation would cost the airport around two million baht in revenue, reports said.