Floating Lanterns Cause Damage And Flight Disruptions In Chiang Mai

Netizens encourage people to ban floating lanterns

Floating Lanterns Cause Damage And Flight Disruptions In Chiang Mai, Thai Netizens Look At Banning Them

Images adapted from: Mthai, Ton Nutkit

Loy Krathong is Thailand’s light and water festival where people pay respects to Mae Kong Ka, a Thai water deity, by sending offerings like flowers, incense, and candles into the river.

In Thailand’s northern provinces, there’s a common practice of flying floating lanterns into the night sky to celebrate Loy Krathong and even New Year’s Eve. The practice has been spread all across Thailand and has become very popular among tourists.

Last week, Chiang Mai News shared how dangerous these floating lanterns have been, showing a number of harmful events caused by them.

Floating lanterns are a fire and litter hazard

Floating Lanterns Cause Damage And Flight Disruptions In Chiang Mai, Thai Netizens Look At Banning Them

Image credit: ภุมรินทร์ โมทอง

Last year, a Facebook user named ภุมรินทร์ โมทอง shared pictures of many burned-out lanterns falling onto the trees and ground in Maha Sarakham, creating a pile of trash in the village.

Floating Lanterns Cause Damage And Flight Disruptions In Chiang Mai, Thai Netizens Look At Banning Them

Images adapted from: Ton Nutkit

Another case happened in Chachoengsao during New Year’s Eve last year. Pictures of a partially-burned house were posted on Facebook by user Ton Nutkit.

The caption revealed that Mr. Nutkit’s entire house almost caught on fire after a floating lantern fell onto a rubbish pile next to his house. Thankfully, the fire was contained.

Flights rescheduled and cancelled for Loy Krathong

Image credit: Bangkokpost

On 7th November 2019, Chiang Mai International Airport announced that 151 flights have either been cancelled or rescheduled for safety reasons during the Loy Krathong season between 10th – 12th November this year.

Floating Lanterns Cause Damage And Flight Disruptions In Chiang Mai, Thai Netizens Look At Banning Them

Burned-out lanterns found within the Chiang Mai Airport area
Image credit: Chiangmainews

While 66 domestic and 30 international flights were cancelled, 41 domestic and 14 international flights were rescheduled.

Deputy Director of the airport Mr. Thananrat Prasertsri revealed that the airlines were concerned about the floating lanterns that are to be released into the sky during the festival.

Thai netizens agree

While people see the floating lanterns as a part of a tradition, they still pointed out the cons that come with it.

Floating Lanterns Cause Damage And Flight Disruptions In Chiang Mai, Thai Netizens Look At Banning Them

Source

Translation: Thank you for understanding how scary this is. They’re harmful to the environment and people’s lives. They also become garbage around the city once they fall down.

Floating Lanterns Cause Damage And Flight Disruptions In Chiang Mai, Thai Netizens Look At Banning Them

Source

Translation: Maybe we should make it illegal so people will stop selling it.

Whether you want to ban floating lanterns or not, we can’t deny the danger it may pose to locals in the area. So fly them with care, like releasing them far away from residential areas.

If you see any fires or would like to make any reports, do not hesitate to reach the Fire Hotline at 199.

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