Bang Fai Rockets Pose Hazard To Flights: Special Report

[webfact]

SPECIAL REPORT
Rockets pose hazard to flights
KAWINTRA JAISEU,
MATTANA LADDASIRIPORN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Following a pilot's report of spotting a Bang Fai rocket soaring at 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) above ground without advance warning, the Transport Ministry has expressed concern about the launchings of festival rockets.

In at least one area it has created a "red zone" where pilots are urged to take special care in looking out for the rockets at certain times of the year.

The threat to Thai aviation from Bang Fai skyrockets - traditionally launched skywards by Northeastern people during May-June - had prompted agencies to meet on April 24 to campaign against the rockets and highlight the danger they pose to aircraft, people's lives and property, and to the country's image.

Thailand has no regulations or laws directly enforcing control of the Bang Fai so far. It would also be hard for local administration bodies to change people's attitudes to Bang Fai launches as they involve beliefs and traditions.

Nevertheless, the April 24 meeting agreed to: 1) promote mutual understanding and awareness about the Bang Fai rockets' danger to aviation among state agencies, local bodies and residents of targeted areas so the public can observe guidelines and safety measures; 2) find preventive measures to reduce the danger posed by Bang Fai to aviation; 3) create a cooperative network among related agencies with participation from communities and residents in targeted areas to ensure Bang Fai launches are done according to set guidelines; 4) ask people not to light Bang Fai rockets in aviation safety zones where planes land and take-off on or around airports; and 5) limit the size and manner of launch of the rockets to eliminate the danger to aviation.

The resolution was drawn up by the Transport Ministry to promote understanding in northeastern provinces that hold Bang Fai fairs, starting with Ubon Ratchathani.

The ministry, in a recent seminar, said Bang Fai launches in the Northeast provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Roi Et, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Buri Ram from 2010-2012 had led to a Notice to Air Men (NOTAM) announcement for pilots to be extra cautious during that time. In Ubon Ratchathani, there were 247 NOTAMs issued in 2010, 487 NOTAMs in 2011, and 354 NOTAMs in 2012, the ministry said.

The ministry has asked people not to launch large Bang Fai rockets that can reach beyond 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) above ground.

The skies over Si Sa Ket's Kanthararom district - an aviation route transit point and an area where planes on flights from many domestic and international destinations (including Hong Kong, South Korea and Vietnam) begin to descend - have been declared a red zone for pilots to beware of Bang Fai rockets during the festival every year.

Commercial flights from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani also pass over Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Yasothon, said Ubon Ratchathani aviation centre director Wijarn Thaksana.

"From Nakhon Ratchasima to Surin, pilots fly at 29,000-31,000 feet, while they lower the flying height to 2,000-2,300 feet in the red zone," he said.

This story is the first in a two-part series. The second part will be published on May 17.


-- The Nation 2013-05-16

[looping]

LastLet's hope they don't ban the rockets altogether, the men may be forced into work

[kimamey]

I don't know what damage could be caused to aircraft by these rockets but I'm not sure what pilots of commercial aircraft are supposed to do if they see one coming their way. Perhaps the film Top Gun should be part of their training.

If there is a real danger to life I'm afraid people's beliefs and traditions must take second place.

[MESmith]

"The ministry has asked people not to launch large Bang Fai rockets that can reach beyond 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) above ground."

The folk launching them will have to check their calculations....

[Bellweather]

What a potential headline, " domestic flight brought down by friendly fire, government vows to crack down ".

[MaxLee]

And again the ministries of Thailand ramble with their "No-planning-in-advance policies" at the cost of possible human lives...

[hellodolly]

And again the ministries of Thailand ramble with their "No-planning-in-advance policies" at the cost of possible human lives...

I thought those were launched at certain times of the year and known times. If they are part of a festival can they not be moved to a spot that does not have take off and landing lanes over it?

[HeavyDrinker]

You must admit, some of them rockets would make North Korea <deleted> emselves....

[HeavyDrinker]

It is possibly one of the best festivals in Thailand bar none. I've been to several and nearly got divorced after the one in 1996.

[Tywais]

I don't know what damage could be caused to aircraft by these rockets

A lot. These rockets can weigh in the 100's of kilograms and loaded with gunpowder and have read that some may use military grade material. In 1999 a rocket weighing 120kG exploded at launch killing 5 and injuring 11. These are not your typical backyard loi krathong rockets.

[Soupdragon]

Here's an idea, have a safety officer who has a schedule of flights in the area and some kind of communication with airports in the area. Planes are only at 10,000 ft during climb out and decent.

It's not rocket science.

[easybullet3]

again..

as usual,,, no explanation of What a Ban Fai rocket is for and why they launch them.

Don't journalists know that the reader needs BACKGROUND INFORMATION ?

[easybullet3]

again..

as usual,,, no explanation of What a Bang Fai rocket is for and why they launch them.

Don't journalists know that the reader needs BACKGROUND INFORMATION ?

PS: Does Bang Fai translate as: Bang Fire ?

[sms747]

The people on the ground have more to fear. Just at Yasothon alone 5 were killed and many injured by an exploding rocket in 1999. Then in 2010 somebody was decapitated. These things need to be fired well away from people with far stricter safety procedures, or should I say at least some.

[Morakot]

"The ministry has asked people not to launch large Bang Fai rockets that can reach beyond 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) above ground."

The folk launching them will have to check their calculations....

It's not rocket science...

[MESmith]

Can't be any more dangerous than flying in & out of Bagram

[HeavyDrinker]

The people on the ground have more to fear. Just at Yasothon alone 5 were killed and many injured by an exploding rocket in 1999. Then in 2010 somebody was decapitated. These things need to be fired well away from people with far stricter safety procedures, or should I say at least some.

But that's part of the 'fun' if you will...

There is a genuine electric sensation of 'what's going to happen now?' which buzzes through the crowd every time a rocket is placed on the gantry. Everyone is transfixed for the 60 seconds as the fuse burns down...

The snag is that due to the vast amounts of booze being plugged about, no one really cares, but it's good clean Thai fun at it's best. I couldn't recommend this festival highly enough.

However, to sterilise it, dampen it down, suffocate it in Health and Safety regulations and package it up as a tourist attraction (as someone in the Transport Ministry clearly wants to do) would be criminal...

[Payboy]

Bang Fai Rockets Pose Hazard To Flights: Special Report

That's a killer blow for the Thai space program.

[NongKhaiKid]

And again the ministries of Thailand ramble with their "No-planning-in-advance policies" at the cost of possible human lives...

I thought those were launched at certain times of the year and known times. If they are part of a festival can they not be moved to a spot that does not have take off and landing lanes over it?

I can see opposition on the grounds of " tradition ", they've always been launched from that spot so it's part of local culture.

[canopus1969]

again..

as usual,,, no explanation of What a Ban Fai rocket is for and why they launch them.

Don't journalists know that the reader needs BACKGROUND INFORMATION ?

To appease the Gods and bring on the rain

[bunnydrops]

What goes up must come down (of course not true anymore) but has anyone been hurt by one of these falling?

[Cuban]

Not huge news as this is an annual event that is well publicised within the weather and air navigation news relating to every area that has air-traffic control. The warning messages are called "Notice to airmen" aka NOTAM giving information concerning condition and any change affecting airport facility, service or hazard, which may affect flight operations.

They do the same during Loy Kathrong with all the candle powered balloons that are released in the region.

An example of the coded NOTAM hazard.warning for BKK a few days ago:

A1424/13 NOTAMNQ) VTBB/QMXLX/IV/M/A/000/999/1341N10045E005A) VTBS   1305170100 C) 1305301000D) 17 18 20-23 25 AND 27-30 0100-1000E) TWY D AND TWY E OPR BUT CTN ADVISED DUE TO GRASS CUTTINGCREATED: 13 May 2013 03:28:00 SOURCE: VTBDYNYX

In plain text = "Taxiway D AND Taxiway East Operate BUT Caution ADVISED DUE TO GRASS CUTTING"

VTBS is the ICAO code for Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK on your luggage label)

You can look up NOTAMs here: https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/

This site offers some for regional airports, but does not appear to be updated in real time: http://www.ourairports.com/countries/TH/

[Docno]

Pretty impressive ... good demonstration of Isaan ingenuity. I know some posters here consider the northeastern farmers to be not much smarter than water buffalo, but perhaps this will show them how far off they are in their 'assessment'. But I doubt it. They will likely simply find something else to criticize them for (like 'why are they having a festival when they should be working'?).

Anyway, after they ban this festival because of a threat to air traffic, they should ban the fire lanterns because they could start a fire, and should ban Songkran because a bike could slip on the water, etc etc. Then we can be safe and bored in front of our TVs.

[Cuban]

What goes up must come down (of course not true anymore) but has anyone been hurt by one of these falling?

We were in Roi-Et for this festival about 6-7 years ago, a big rocket (20cm diameter blue water pipe about 5 meters long plus bamboo tail) tilted to about 45° after clearing the launch stand before enough thrust was achieved to take it away from the crowd, a scary moment and many people ran. I recall a hut/house was hit and burnt down that year - reported on the local TV that night. Have a memory of some child being killed/burned during a failed launch, not sure it was the same year - there was video on YouTube, in Thai.

As ever with such Thai social events a lot of alcohol is consumed during the launch preparations, accidents happen.

[sms747]

Pretty impressive ... good demonstration of Isaan ingenuity. I know some posters here consider the northeastern farmers to be not much smarter than water buffalo, but perhaps this will show them how far off they are in their 'assessment'. But I doubt it. They will likely simply find something else to criticize them for (like 'why are they having a festival when they should be working'?).

Amazing people, they just got as far as the Chinese over 1,000 years ago, what else demonstrates their ingenuity? maybe they will rediscover the water pump next or the seed drill, bloody genius's these Issan farmers. Firing off big dangerous rockets that just go woosh, clever devils what?

[sms747]

Pretty impressive ... good demonstration of Isaan ingenuity. I know some posters here consider the northeastern farmers to be not much smarter than water buffalo, but perhaps this will show them how far off they are in their 'assessment'. But I doubt it. They will likely simply find something else to criticize them for (like 'why are they having a festival when they should be working'?).

Anyway, after they ban this festival because of a threat to air traffic, they should ban the fire lanterns because they could start a fire, and should ban Songkran because a bike could slip on the water, etc etc. Then we can be safe and bored in front of our TVs.

Amazing people, they just got as far as the Chinese over 1,000 years ago, what else demonstrates their ingenuity? maybe they will rediscover the water pump next or the seed drill, bloody genius's these Issan farmers. Firing off big dangerous rockets that just go woosh, clever devils what?

[belg]

can't they use this magical rockets to make it rain in the dry season ?

[Always18]

again..

as usual,,, no explanation of What a Ban Fai rocket is for and why they launch them.

Don't journalists know that the reader needs BACKGROUND INFORMATION ?

To appease the Gods and bring on the rain

..............perhaps originally, but nowadays it's ALL about gambling!

[konfuzed]

silly farang pilots, not understand thai culture...

[techboy]

Those things are great!!! Gotta get me some.