Moonlight Sky Lantern 2026 Press Conference

September 5

Moonlight Sky Lantern 2026 “Belief and the Power of Faith under the Moonlight” Press Conference at Smile Lanna Hotel.
Moonlight Sky Lantern 2026 Invites Visitors to Experience the Enchantment of Lanna Yi Peng Promoting Quality Tourism, Stronger Communities and a Low-Carbon Event 24–25 November 2026 | The Ancient Ubosot, Wat Ton Muen, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province, Thailand
Chiang Mai/Lamphun — The Moonlight Sky Lantern 2026, also known as the Chiang Mai Moonlight Sky Lantern Festival, will take place on 24–25 November 2026 at the ancient ubosot (ordination hall) of Wat Ton Muen, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province. Held under the theme “Belief and the Power of Faith under the Moonlight,” the event aims to showcase the beauty of the Lanna Yi Peng and Loy Krathong traditions through a cultural tourism experience that actively involves the local community, generates income for local people, and places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility.
The event is being organized through the cooperation of Mr. Damrong Ong-art, Director of Insada Global Co., Ltd., and Dr. Mingkwan Daengsuwan, Managing Director of Moonlight Sky Lantern Co., Ltd., together with local communities, local administrative organizations, educational institutions, tourism-related agencies, and partner networks in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. The initiative aims to establish Ban Thi District as another high-quality cultural tourism destination in Northern Thailand.
Yi Peng, or the Lanna Sky Lantern Festival, is a long-standing tradition celebrated on the full moon of the second month according to the Lanna calendar. This corresponds to the full moon of the twelfth lunar month in the Central Thai calendar and coincides with the Loy Krathong period. At Moonlight Sky Lantern 2026, visitors will be able to experience the atmosphere of releasing sky lanterns beneath the moonlight, Buddhist ceremonies, traditional cultural performances, and the distinctive way of life of the Lanna community.
Activities throughout the event will focus on preserving the cultural identities and artistic traditions of the Tai Lue, Lanna, Tai Yong, Tai Khün, Hmong and Karen communities. Umbrellas, lanterns and tung (traditional Lanna Buddhist flags) will be incorporated into the event’s decorations. Performances by students from nearby schools will also be featured, encouraging younger generations to love and take pride in their hometown, way of life and local wisdom. Visitors will also be able to enjoy local cuisine and traditional health and wellness activities presented by women’s and homemakers’ groups from Ban Thi Subdistrict.
Mr. Damrong Ong-art said that the event aims to stimulate the local economy and distribute tourism income throughout the community, benefiting tourism operators, tour companies, guides, shops, restaurants, accommodation providers, hotels, souvenir producers and small and medium-sized enterprises. The event will also connect community-based tourism networks in Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province, with tourism networks in Chiang Mai.
“Moonlight Sky Lantern 2026 is not simply an event for viewing sky lanterns. It is a platform where local communities can share the stories of their hometowns, express their cultural identity and create meaningful income from their cultural heritage. We want visitors to receive a beautiful and memorable experience while ensuring that local communities gain tangible and sustainable benefits,” Mr. Damrong said.
Dr. Mingkwan Daengsuwan said that the heart of the event is to create a tourism experience that respects cultural roots and demonstrates social responsibility. Local communities are not merely hosts; they are actively involved in designing activities, sharing their stories and ensuring that they benefit from tourism in a sustainable way.
Moonlight Sky Lantern 2026 is being developed in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the principles of a Carbon Neutral Event. Natural materials will be used to decorate the venue, while food containers made from leaves and banana leaves will be provided. Wet and dry waste will be separated for appropriate management. The organizers will also undertake greenhouse-gas emissions offsetting activities covering emissions associated with travel, electricity consumption and activities during the event. This will include participation in a tree-planting project involving 1,000 trees at the Ban Pong Royal Development Project, Pa Phai Subdistrict, San Sai District, Chiang Mai Province.
Safety Measures
For safety, the organizers will coordinate with the local community, Ban Thi Subdistrict Municipality, Ban Thi Police Station, village chiefs, village security teams, Civil Defense Volunteers, National Park Rescue Unit 1 in Chiang Mai, and fire engines from Ban Thi Subdistrict Municipality. These organizations will help oversee traffic management, public safety and fire prevention throughout the event.
The sky lanterns used at the event will be made from natural materials and produced in accordance with Community Product Standards. Medium-sized lanterns will be used, with a width of more than 50 cm but no more than 70 cm, a height of more than 70 cm but no more than 90 cm, and a fuel weight of no more than 35 grams. Burning time will not exceed five minutes.
A designated lantern-release demonstration area will be provided for tourists. Water containers, wet cloths and fire-extinguishing equipment will also be available throughout the area.
Following the lantern release, the organizers will work together with farmland owners and surrounding communities to collect lanterns that land in the area. This initiative is intended to minimize environmental impacts and promote participatory waste management.
EVENT DETAILS Dates: 24–25 November 2026 / Venue: The Ancient Ubosot, Wat Ton Muen, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province, Thailand Organized by: Insada Global Co., Ltd. / Moonlight Sky Lantern Co., Ltd. For further information: Website: www.chiangmaiskylantern.com