THAI flights to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai cancelled and rescheduled to avoid sky lanterns



BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International yesterday announced the cancellation and rescheduling of some of its flights to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport to avoid thousands of sky lanterns which are expected to be floated during the three-day Loy Krathong festival.

The national flag carrier’s move was to ensure air travel safety during the celebration by the Thai people.

According toTHAI vice president Flt Lt Prathana Pattanasiri, who is in charge of THAI’S Aviation Safety, Security and Standards Department, THAI had terminated two Chiang Mai-bound flights from Suvarnabhumi airport – TG120 and TG122 – and two return flights – TG121 and TG177 – from Nov 5-7 for safety reasons.

The cancellations are for the safety of passengers as Chiang Mai and other northern provinces will float the balloon-like ‘Khom Loy’ or sky lantern during the festival, he said.

This was to follow the international standard safety precaution.

The airline has also advanced the departure time of flight TG116 to Chiang Mai from 5.25 pm to 4.50 pm, he said.

Also the TG136 to Chiang Rai will be rescheduled from 6.30 pm to 5.55 pm and flight TG137 from Chiang Rai will leave at 5.50 pm instead of 8.05 pm during the period.

THAI also said the two flights to and from Chiang Rai will be operated by its sister airline Thai Smile.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-flights-chiang-mai-chiang-rai-cancelled-rescheduled-avoid-sky-lanterns/


-- Thai PBS 2014-10-31

Cant blame them, there are thousands of these things flying threw the air ! And nothing will stop them.

Amazing Thailand.

Amazing Thailand.

reduce the number of tourists who can fly to ChiangMai to see the tourist attraction of Loy Kratong... TAT must be so happy.

definitely some economic trade-offs but good intentions by THAI anyway.

A prudent move. Good thinking.

Thai Airways knew about the Loy Krathong holiday and activities for over a year - why do they just now adjust their schedule - shouldn't they have done this months ago ? Why only take action within a week of the events?

Edited October 31, 201411 yr by KED

Amazing Thailand.

Not as amazing as a few years ago in Phuket, They where letting these lighted lanterns go. One went side ways and set fire to a beach hut with a thatched roof, The owner did the fan dance as it burned, also there are thousands acres of jungle burned because of these stupid things.

Edited October 31, 201411 yr by Thongkorn

How far up do these lanterns go before eventually faint back down to earth? Is it then the norm to just find burned out lanterns scattered all over the place a day later.

Air Asia is doing the same

Sensible move it was an accident waiting to happen. As year go by ,and the population of CM explodes, as it is now, it will only get worse.

How far up do these lanterns go before eventually faint back down to earth? Is it then the norm to just find burned out lanterns scattered all over the place a day later.

I cant give you a height figure but there are thousands up there for quite some time until they fall to earth.In our village , a fair way out of town , you will find

heaps next day,on the ground and up trees. Like Songkran celebrations are not restricted to one day

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How far up do these lanterns go before eventually faint back down to earth? Is it then the norm to just find burned out lanterns scattered all over the place a day later.

When I saw these things take flight around new years day in Pattaya they basically fly until you can't see them anymore. Probably 500-1000 feet!

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How far up do these lanterns go before eventually faint back down to earth? Is it then the norm to just find burned out lanterns scattered all over the place a day later.

When I saw these things take flight around new years day in Pattaya they basically fly until you can't see them anymore. Probably 500-1000 feet!

Were You Pissed.

Last year as I watched one of the lanterns land on a nearby restaurant after its launch, I thought how fortunate the roof was a non combustible type instead of straw or other material.

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How far up do these lanterns go before eventually faint back down to earth? Is it then the norm to just find burned out lanterns scattered all over the place a day later.

When I saw these things take flight around new years day in Pattaya they basically fly until you can't see them anymore. Probably 500-1000 feet!

Were You Pissed.

Pissed? Why would I be pissed?