Across the kingdom, authorities are taking the air out of this week’s Loy Krathong festivities, issuing bans or requesting curbs on popular khom loy flying lanterns.
The Chiang Mai traffic-control centre became the latest to restrict the "flying krathongs" Tuesday, declaring a five-kilometre "no fly" zone around the city's airport where people were instructed not to launch lanterns during the Wednesday-Friday Loy Krathong festival, Kiattisak Rienvatana, the centre's director, told The Associated Press.
Thousands of paper-made balloons, powered by burning oil, rise into the evening sky in Chiang Mai province during 2013’s Loy Krathong festival. Revellers in several provinces across the country have been asked not to launch lanterns into the sky near airports to avoid airborne accidents during this week’s festival. (AP photo)
While Thais believe launching khom loy lanterns will bring them good fortune, aviation officials say they bring only inconvenience, financial loss and safety worries.
"We are asking people to cooperate because only one lantern can bring down a plane," Mr Kiattisak said. "Our officials are also keeping an eye on any lanterns that might be blown into the airport parameters during that period.''
Airlines already weren't taking any chances. On Oct 28 - more than a week before the Nov 6 holiday - carriers serving Chiang Mai announced they would cancel 112 flights - 96 domestic and 16 international -from Nov 5-7. Another 50 flights - 30 domestic and 20 international - had their departure and arrival times changed to avoid lanterns, which pose a risk to plane engines. Airport officials said the ban runs until 9pm.
Almost 20,000 passengers will be affected by the flight cancellations and the airport will lose about 2 million baht in revenue, said airport director Group Capt Wisuth Chantana.
Other areas issuing similar restrictions include Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Chon Buri and Bangkok.
Khon Kaen airport on Oct 30 urged local governments and schools not to organise any yi peng events to release khom loy lanterns and "burning pinwheels" from 6-10pm on Nov 5-7. Affected are Ban Ped tambon municipality, Muang Khon Kaen municipality, Daeng Yai tambon administration organisation and Khon Kaen University
Four airlines - Thai Smile, Thai Airways International, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia - operate domestic flights in and out of Khon Kaen during that time. The flights normally carry around 1,500 passengers total, airport chief Atthaya Larpmark said.
No airlines, however, have cancelled any flights or changed schedules there.
Bangkok residents ready a khom loy flying lantern for a 2013 Loy Krathong festival on the Chao Phraya River near Rama VIII Bridge. (Bangkok Post photo)
Laem Chabang municipality in Chon Buri province took the lead on Loy Krathong restrictions, issuing on Oct 27 a ban on the sale of fireworks and sky lanterns for Nov 6, warning their use could endanger a gas-storage area and two refineries in the locality.
Laem Chabang mayor Jinda Thanomrod said the municipality asked people living near local refineries and the gas-storage yard, and visitors to Laem Chabang, to refrain from playing with fireworks and khom loy.
Mrs Jinda said fireworks and sky lanterns could fall on the fuel facilities and start fires, and also posed a danger to people's homes.
Fear of fires also was being the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's 24-hour ban on sales of lanterns at Loy Krathong sites. The BMA also has prohibitted the release of lanterns in certain areas, in particular over key historical sites and government offices, airports, tall buildings and residential areas of the city.
The main areas concerned are Prawet, Nong Chok, Suan Luang, Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa, Lat Krabang, Don Muang, Bang Khen, Lat Phrao, Bang Sue, Dusit, Phaya Thai and Chatuchak.
The move followed a request from the Airports of Thailand for the BMA to control release of the lanterns, which could pose a danger to aircraft taking off or landing, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said.
Officials also are concerned as there were a number of lantern-related fire incidents in the capital during the last year's New Year celebrations. Separate fires were also reported in the nearby provinces of Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.