Report Rocket Fest Safety Alert: Aviation Threat from Sky-High Celebrations

[webfact]

Bang Fai. File photo courtesy of TAT

 

The Deputy Transport Minister of Thailand, Manaporn Charoensri, has put the Department of Airports (DoA) on high alert ahead of the Bun Bang Fai festival. As rocket launches are set to light up the skies, a close watch is to be kept to ensure aviation safety isn't put at risk.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has rolled out detailed guidelines, so there’s no room for complacency during the festivities.

 

The Bun Bang Fai festival, the highly anticipated rocket launching shindig, usually takes place in May or June across several northeastern provinces such as Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, Kalasin, and Yasothon. As part of the tradition, rockets are launched to as high as 7,000 to 8,000 feet to herald the rainy season.

 

With such heights, there’s a potential threat to airplanes cruising nearby, which has prompted enhanced safety coordination efforts this year.

 

Airports are working tirelessly with local authorities, ensuring launches are strictly regulated and permission is duly sought for every rocket leaving the ground. Restrictions are in place to prevent any unauthorized launches in sensitive airspace, with clear alerts sent to pilots.

 

Straying from these regulations isn’t simply frowned upon; it potentially earns offenders a hefty penalty, including imprisonment or fines up to 200,000 baht, escalating to possibly facing a death sentence for endangering aircraft, with fines soaring to 800,000 baht.

 

The push for safety measures comes as local communities prepare to celebrate, balancing tradition with aviation protocol to keep the skies safe yet festive. As the Bun Bang Fai unfolds, the blend of culture and caution aims to deliver a festival that respects ancient customs while adhering to modern safety standards.

 

Compliance with these measures should ensure the only fireworks involved are those intended to light up the joyous occasion without threatening Thai or international airspace.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-08

 

 

[JoePai]

rocket launching shindig

 

555 love it    🤣

[impulse]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Bun Bang Fai festival, the highly anticipated rocket launching shindig, usually takes place in May or June across several northeastern provinces such as Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, Kalasin, and Yasothon.

 

Do they announce the events in advance?  It may be fun to watch and dodge death and destruction.

 

[billd766]

All the CAAT need to do is issue a NOTAM (NOtice To Air Men)advising them of probable times, dates, areas and air lanes/ heights etc, to steer clear of during the season. The villages should be smart enough to notify the CAAT early enough for the NOTAMs to be issued.

[connda]

I sure the government would love to cancel that forever in the name of "Protecting Thai Cultural Events." 

There is nothing new here.  The government and the airports know exactly what to expect and where.  Thai aviation publishes NOTAM about the event and the areas to avoid.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

All the CAAT need to do is issue a NOTAM (NOtice To Air Men)advising them of probable times, dates, areas and air lanes/ heights etc, to steer clear of during the season. The villages should be smart enough to notify the CAAT early enough for the NOTAMs to be issued.

Are local hospitals on alert?

[Nickcage49]

These should be banned. Rockets get shot in the sky. What could possibly go wrong?

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

These should be banned. Rockets get shot in the sky. What could possibly go wrong?

 

Totally agree....where the hell are these things falling to earth? Some of them are huge

 

Same with these RC model aircraft you see idiots launching all over the place.

[Cabradelmar]

Stupidest event ever. TiT.

[impulse]

37 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

Stupidest event ever. TiT.

 

Probably the Thaiest event ever. 

 

Who are we to come to someone else's country and try to change their centuries old traditions? (or even if it's just a decades old tradition)

 

I'd love to go see an event, even if there is an element of danger.  We all die sometime.  May as well be having fun when it happens.

 

I remember how much I enjoyed watching a Thai drift racing event, though I realized that I could be taken out in an instant because of the flimsy barrier between the course and the stands.  I'd go again in a heartbeat.  It was that much fun.

 

Edit:  I'd bet that a lot more people are killed on the way to the events (any major event) than are killed by errant rockets each year.  What would you do?  Ban all events?

 

[billd766]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Are local hospitals on alert?

Why ask me and not the local hospitals?

 

I don't live anywhere near the area.

[black tabby12345]

rockets are launched to as high as 7,000 to 8,000 feet

 

Thai-Burmese border might need this this kind of festival.

It will discourage Burmese war planes to violate Thai airspace for the fear of accidental hit.

[Magictoad]

12 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Do they announce the events in advance?  It may be fun to watch and dodge death and destruction.

 

I usually go every year. The most famous one is Yasothon but the biggest is Phanom Phrai but the most unusual on is in Kalasin where the rockets are round.

[Magictoad]