The Flying Lanterns at Mae Jo

[st11x]

G'day,

Does anyone have the exact date for that event at the university? I have been Googling around but could not find any official information. I thought there would be an official website.

A mate of mine is thinking of making the trip, but he has a limited window and doesn't know when to get here.

My best Googling effort is the 16th November.

thanks

Matt

[zippydedodah]

here is the webpage ... event is run by a particular group of monks

www.yeepenglanna.net

[FiftyTwo]

here is the webpage ... event is run by a particular group of monks

www.yeepenglanna.net

Tourist scam site. No info there.

The big MaeJo release is usually Saturday before Yee Peng.

Yee Peng this year is the weekend of 16th November.

So the big lantern release would most likely happen on Saturday 9th November.

[zippydedodah]

while i too am annoyed at the crazy money charged for the "tourist" event launch of lanterns...

this is indeed the official webpage put up by the monks that set the date and the event of the Mae Jo lantern launch.

So far it only lists the Nov 23rd event, which is the "pay" event...

Last year they also listed their public event, which is free...

[st11x]

My mate was just commenting what a poor job the tourism authority is doing when such information cannot be readily found.

So it looks like the 9th then ?

thanks

Matt

[CMSteve]

Actually they've done quite well. It seems obvious that the goal was to sell the tour on the 23rd($100/pax!). Easiest way to do that was not offer any info on the free/real event. They have sold out by the website, but it seems that some tour companies have bought out many of the tickets to resell. I don't imagine we will get any real info on the real event until all the resale tickets are sold as well.

My mate was just commenting what a poor job the tourism authority is doing when such information cannot be readily found.

So it looks like the 9th then ?

thanks

Matt

[FiftyTwo]

My mate was just commenting what a poor job the tourism authority is doing when such information cannot be readily found.

So it looks like the 9th then ?

thanks

Matt

Just so you know, the real event is not for tourists, it's intended for locals only.

That's the reason no information is given out. Far too many people attend as it is, they don't want any more.

[heybruce]

My mate was just commenting what a poor job the tourism authority is doing when such information cannot be readily found.

So it looks like the 9th then ?

thanks

Matt

Just so you know, the real event is not for tourists, it's intended for locals only.

That's the reason no information is given out. Far too many people attend as it is, they don't want any more.

I don't think it is officially a locals only event, but has become very crowded and the people in charge may have decided to restrict publicity this year (they never agressively advertised to my knowledge). They may be concerned that this year's even will be overwhelmed with Chinese tourists. I'm also concerned, I went the last four years, I may pass this year.

[junglechef]

One of the most memorable experiences I've ever had here and up there on moving moments of all my world travels. Luckily I live near by and cycle by all the time so I'll post a picture of the signs etc when they go up around the temple, usually a week or so before the event as we are locals and it's worth catching if you've never been.

[AngelsLariat]

My mate was just commenting what a poor job the tourism authority is doing when such information cannot be readily found.

So it looks like the 9th then ?

thanks

Matt

Just so you know, the real event is not for tourists, it's intended for locals only.

That's the reason no information is given out. Far too many people attend as it is, they don't want any more.

That's true. Last year's free event was such a mob scene that it was downright unpleasant. Leaving the place people were packed together like sardines while trying to inch their way towards the parking lot - real risk of stampede deaths if any sort of commotion ever broke out in the crowd..

[dingerS]

My mate was just commenting what a poor job the tourism authority is doing when such information cannot be readily found.

So it looks like the 9th then ?

thanks

Matt

Just so you know, the real event is not for tourists, it's intended for locals only.

That's the reason no information is given out. Far too many people attend as it is, they don't want any more.

That's true. Last year's free event was such a mob scene that it was downright unpleasant. Leaving the place people were packed together like sardines while trying to inch their way towards the parking lot - real risk of stampede deaths if any sort of commotion ever broke out in the crowd..

I think last years ordeal was more to do with the sudden rain storm more than the number of people. But it def could have turned ugly....

[AngelsLariat]

My mate was just commenting what a poor job the tourism authority is doing when such information cannot be readily found.

So it looks like the 9th then ?

thanks

Matt

Just so you know, the real event is not for tourists, it's intended for locals only.

That's the reason no information is given out. Far too many people attend as it is, they don't want any more.

That's true. Last year's free event was such a mob scene that it was downright unpleasant. Leaving the place people were packed together like sardines while trying to inch their way towards the parking lot - real risk of stampede deaths if any sort of commotion ever broke out in the crowd..

I think last years ordeal was more to do with the sudden rain storm more than the number of people. But it def could have turned ugly....

It was bad even before the storm broke out - legions of people packed together shoulder-to-shoulder, marching forwards an inch at a time. The downpour of rain added to the potential for people to get trampled but that danger was entirely foreseeable, downpours happen in Thailand.

[FiftyTwo]

I've been the last 4 years, a crowd nightmare each time.

Last year I was out before the rain, so missed the crush.

Once before a bridge over the klong collapsed, packed with people.

It's a death trap waiting to spring.

But as I live here (MaeJo), I still have to go each year.

[AngelsLariat]

I've been the last 4 years, a crowd nightmare each time.

Last year I was out before the rain, so missed the crush.

Once before a bridge over the klong collapsed, packed with people.

It's a death trap waiting to spring.

But as I live here (MaeJo), I still have to go each year.

And when people do die there, authorities will act surprised.

[junglechef]

We chilled a bit afterwards as I had 5 kids with me and then had some fun running to the car in the tremendous downpour. It's a pretty peaceful event except for the flames falling from the sky from the lanterns that get stuck in the trees, I leave my toddler home but good fun the rest of us!

[Mekong Bob]

next time, try using "floating lanterns" rather than "flying lanterns"

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[st11x]

http://travel.kapook.com/view68159.html

Finally found a page that seem to cement a date. I don't read Thai, but my wife says it's the 17th. Too bad my visiting friend have to choose between this or the Sunday market which is equally interesting.

[FiftyTwo]

http://travel.kapook.com/view68159.html

Finally found a page that seem to cement a date. I don't read Thai, but my wife says it's the 17th. Too bad my visiting friend have to choose between this or the Sunday market which is equally interesting.

It's always on Saturday, it never competes with Loy Kratong, it will be on Saturday 9th.