Chiang Mai reschedules 69 flights for Lantern Festival

2nd Nov 2022

During the Lantern Festival, which takes place between November 8 and 9, the Chiang Mai International Airport has rescheduled 69 flights in order to protect passengers from the risk of being struck by flying debris. As a way to help passengers, the airport has cancelled 55 flights, changed the times of 14 others, and added six special flights to its schedule.

Lantern Festival, also known as the Yi Peng Festival, is a northern Thai traditional activity that takes place in Chaing Mai. During this festival, villagers release lanterns into the sky to worship Buddha and seek forgiveness from Phra Mae Kong Ka, the Thai name for the Goddess of Water. The locals also have the belief that their unfortunate circumstances will vanish along with the floating lanterns.

Since it is evident that flying lanterns pose a risk to aircraft that are attempting to land, the government has adopted measures to ensure both the preservation of the region's traditional culture and the protection of those who are flying and those who are on the ground.

Only on the evenings of November 8 and 9, between the hours of seven and one in the morning, will people in Chiang Mai, both residents and visitors, be permitted to let their paper lanterns fly in the night sky.

Organizers of an activity or event such as a Lantern Festival are required to contact Chiang Mai International Airport or Chiang Mai Air Traffic Control Tower 14 days in advance and get permission from the district chief 30 days in advance before they may arrange the activity or event.

There is a prohibition on floating lanterns in the Air Navigation Safety Zone, which encompasses the airspace over the airport and the surrounding areas. This area covers six of Chiang Mai's districts: Meng Chiang Mai, Saraphi, San Sai, Hang Dong, Mae Rim, and San Pa Tong.

Chiang Mai International Airport conducts ten separate safety checks each and every day in the surrounding region to ensure the wellbeing of its guests. The officials also keep an eye out for any lights that may have been knocked over into the aircraft area and remove them when they find them.

If you break the rules and regulations set up by the Air Navigation Act, you could go to jail for up to five years and have to pay a fine of up to 200,000 baht.

Related Airports

• Chiang Mai Airport

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