Plans to release thousands of lanterns into the sky during this week’s Loy Krathong Festival have seen airlines cancel or reschedule nearly 200 flights in and out of Chiang Mai.
From Nov. 2-4, 90 flights to and from the popular northern Thailand tourist destination have been canceled, with another 97 flights rescheduled due to safety concerns, Prachachart reported.
This year’s Loy Krathong night falls tomorrow (Nov. 3), with festivities ending on Sunday. Chiang Mai will hold celebrations across the city, but locals will only be allowed to release their lanterns from 7pm on Nov. 3 until 1am the next day.
Despite being an old tradition in Thailand’s north, fewer people have been releasing lanterns each year in the wake of safety campaigns by concerned agencies.
According to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, a total of 27,083 lanterns were released in 2015. Last year, that number plunged to just 7,265– a drop of about 70 percent.
Minus the lanterns, Bangkok will also hold Loy Krathong festivities along the Chao Phraya River tomorrow night. Free shuttle boats between seven cultural attractions will be available. Check the event details here.
