Officials say the ban is necessary as there is a significant risk the paper-balloons could get caught up in the engines, or hit the fuselages, of aeroplanes taking off or landing at the northern Thai city’s international airport. The ban applies to the days leading up to the main festival on 25 November and the days after.
The ban does not apply to the evening of 25 November and airlines are expected to tweak their timetables to accommodate the mass release of thousands of balloons into the sky. The ban applies to the City District (Muang) and designated parts of Hang Dong, Saraphi, San Sai and Mae Rim districts.
New Year’s Eve on the 31 December is also exempt from the balloon ban. Pawin Chamni-prasart is the city’s governor and he said he hoped residents would understand that the ban was being enforced so that the lives of aircraft passengers were not put at risk.
Balloon-lanterns banned from Chiang Mai sky before Loy Krathong
News in Asia
Chiang Mai municipal officials have released a list of districts where the launching of the famous balloon-lanterns is prohibited in the run up to the Loy Krathong Festival. The release of the hot-air balloons, known as kom loi, is very much a part of the ancient festival’s traditions and brings countless visitors to Chiang Mai every year.