Two flying lantern events in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong get their permits revoked

PHOTO: Rove.me

Chiang Mai’s City District Office has scrapped permits previously granted to organisers of two ‘sky lantern’ events that would have released a total of 5,000 flying lanterns during the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival, on November 11.

The two events, one at the dinosaur-featuring Hidden Village Chiang Mai attraction and the other at the Royal Park Rajapruek in tambon Mae Hia, were deemed to be within the air navigation safety zone.

According to Muang district chief Weerapan Dee-on, releasing hot-air flying lanterns would be a violation of the Thailand Air Navigation Act which has been in effect since May 26, 2019.

“The violation carries a penalty of a maximum five-year imprisonment and/or a maximum 200,000 fine baht.”

The move stems from the Chiang Mai governor’s policy to ensure that the Chiang Mai Airport approves events within five district that may have been within the official air navigation safety zone – Muang (all tambons), Hang Dong (all tambons), Saraphi (the four tambons of Kua Mung, Don Kaew, Tha Wang Tan, and Nong Pheung), Mae Rim (the three tambons of Don Kaew, Rim Tai and Mae Sa) and San Sai (tambon Nong Han).

The governor had instructed the district chiefs to ask the airport authority to confirm whether event locations within their jurisdictions that were usually granted permits to release flying lanterns were deemed within the restricted zone. If so, the permits would be immediately revoked.

The annual Loy Krathong Festival, widely known in Chiang Mai as Yi Peng Festival, is highlighted by people launching flying lanterns into the sky so as to be rid of bad luck. As the items could pose a danger to aviation, the release time periods and locations have been limited.

In other parts of Thailand the festival is more earth-bound with local communities preparing small floating rafts of leaves, flowers and candles.

Find out more about Loy Krathong 2019 Rove.me

SOURCE: The Nation