As iconic Thai festival Loy Krathong is approaching, government officials are emphasizing regulations to keep celebratory citizens from setting the country on fire.
This week, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, a state enterprise under the Ministry of Transport, announced that those who release lanterns in undesignated areas or during unallotted times will face a fine of THB60,000 (about US$1,800) and up to three years in prison, reported Workpoint.
Meanwhile, vendors will be required to request permission to sell lanterns.
For those who haven’t been around for the “Festival of Lights” yet, Loy Krathong is celebrated on the evening of the full moon in November every year for people to pay respect to the Goddess of Water. One of the most iconic traditions during the festival is the releasing of lanterns.
This year, Loy Krathong falls on Nov. 22.
You know those floating lanterns that the contemporary Rapunzel character in Disney’s Tangled is so obsessed with? Thailand’s northern provinces such as Chiang Mai has the same celebration during the Loy Krathong festival — releasing a “yi peng,” or a lantern, into the sky with the belief that all their troubles will float away with the lanterns.
This year, Chiang Mai officials have designated 7pm on Nov. 22 until 1am on the next day to be regarded as official lantern-releasing times. Furthermore, municipalities areas are strictly off-limits.
Those who wish to celebrate with lanterns can do so on both sides of the Ping River on Ta Prae street, Chang Moi Street, and some parts of the Chiang Mai-Lumpoon street.
Vendors who wish to sell lanterns must ask the government for permission and will be assigned a private 1.5 sqm. block at the cost of THB200 (US$6) per person, and an additional THB20 (60 cents) for the clean up.
After the regulations were announced, hundreds of Chiang Mai vendors have, reportedly, already signed up for a little slice of these government-regulated spaces, for their own small square to sell their lanterns.
The government claimed that the regulations are a result of many reported lantern-lighting incidents in past Loy Krathong festivals, adding that in previous years, many locals complained about lanterns landing on the roof of their homes or setting nearby trees on fire.
We could see how that could ruin the festival for some people. Here’s hoping y’all have a safe Loy Krathong this year.
And, here’s “I See The Light” from Tangled, with lyrics on screen — let us all sing along to raise our spirits.
