Chiang Mai air traffic control sets up restricted zones for flying lantern release

[webfact]

Chiang Mai air traffic control sets up restricted zones for flying lantern release

CHIANG MAI, 04 November 2014 (NNT) – The air traffic control center in Chiang Mai has specified zones for the release of flying lanterns during the Loi Krathong festival in the northern province to prevent the flying objects from jeopardizing aircraft safety.

The control center has designated 'level 1' and 'level 2' restricted zones for flying lantern releases. In the level 1 zones, strictly no flying lanterns will be allowed to be released.

In the level 2 zones, the air traffic control center must be notified seven days in advance of any release. Residents of areas near Chiang Mai Airport and those along flight paths have been asked to notify the center in advance of flying lantern releases, and to only release them after 9 pm when there is no air traffic.

In Chiang Rai, the Airports of Thailand has asked local agencies and residents within an eight kilometers radius of Mae Fah Luang Airport to only release flying lanterns after 9.30 pm, and to give seven days advance notice to authorities of any planned release outside the time period.

-- NNT 2014-11-04

[iainiain101]

So what area do the zones cover?

[lee b]

I can really see everyone in Chaing Mai sticking to this. Notify 7 days in advance for the so called level 2 area?? So does this mean people should have notified at the end of last month so they can fly lanterns on the 6th?

[slapout]

Maybe they could add fireworks as also restricted and save a lot of personal injury noted every year.

I doubt that '' air traffic control'' will be out enforcing this decree and I wonder, under whose authority these rules are being made? The people seem to have their own plans for celebrating all holidays/occasions and in the way they want, not what some government group deems safe or is said to have said.

[doublephil]

Expecting the average Thai to either know or care about such restrictions is a big joke - and anyway there are lots of flights after 9pm - usually a queue of 4 planes all on final approach and arriving at roughly the same time around 10.30pm -10.45m. I have a panoramic view of the airport and surrounding area. Last night at 10.30 - I spent several minutes trying to work out which lights were lanterns and which ones were landing planes - they were all mixed up together - so no-one was taking any notice of the restrictions - and are unlikely to do any different over next few days

[Thailand]

It was the recommendation of one of the generals with a THB 100,000 fine to be imposed. No quite sure how they were going to determine who launched them?

[bluebluewater]

I don't think for a second anyone will "fail to launch" because of these restrictions. Note: I fail to launch sometimes but I blame me.

I would make a small wager that the local population is not even aware of the restrictions.

I hope they consulted with the wind as well as it may have a say in how it all turns out.

Cheers!