CityNews – Chiang Mai International Airport has increased the number of runway checks and cancelled 78 flights in preparation for the upcoming loy kratong and yee peng festivals after lanterns have already been found on their land.
78 flights were cancelled and 78 flights re-scheduled in a bid to avoid dangers while taking off and landing at Chiang Mai International Airport during times when lanterns are in the sky. 20 flights out of the 78 cancelled flights are international.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, lanterns are only allowed to be released on November 3rd and November 4th from 7pm to 1am the next morning. Smoke lanterns are allowed to be released from 10am until noon November 3rd.
Letters have been sent to all institutions in the area near the airport urging people and event organisers to follow the rules to ensure safety for aircraft. The public have also been asked to refrain from setting lanterns off any other time.
Airport security has increased over the event, and runway checks will be more regular to ensure the lanterns are not on the runway.