Phuket Governor says ‘safety first’ at island’s first Thailand Balloon Music Festival
The Phuket News

PHUKET: -- The Governor of Phuket, Chamroen Tipayapongtada, has called for officials and organisers to make safety their top priority at the island’s first Phuket Thailand Balloon Music Festival, to be held from April 14-17.

“Having a new festival is great and hosting it is exciting, but please keep in mind that security and safety are our top priorities,” said Governor Chamroen.

“Officials need to take care of the parking area and make sure that the entrance and exit are kept clear to prevent traffic jams, and that the areas inside the festival grounds are well lit.

“Also, the route and direction of the balloons at the festival must be set and controlled and medical units must be on standby at all times,” he added.

Kritpanat Patwarasit, Managing Director of event organiser Shor Chang Kid Shor Chang Tham Co Ltd, explained that the festival will be held at Phuket Paradise Park, Koh Kaew, near British International School – Phuket, north of Phuket Town.

The festival will feature “Balloon Night Glow”, with hot-air balloons illuminated in a vast array of colours, as well as elevated sightseeing from the dizzying heights of a tethered balloon.

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-governor-says-safety-first-at-island-first-thailand-balloon-music-festival-56412.php

-- Phuket News 2016-02-29

That will be a first! Safety?

News Flash! Officials to supply free hydrogen for balloons as a gesture of support to operators, eliminating their cost of helium. Expect a safe event everyone!

hot air balloons going on for decades in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

You got to know how to run the gas burners to fill the balloon with hot air.

otherwise, look out below.

Safety ???? What's that....?????

A disaster in the making!!

I really can't imagine they are serious, maybe April 1st joke a month early.

Just look at safety that is shown every day in Thailand and it doesn't take long to realise they have no idea about it

“Also, the route and direction of the balloons at the festival must be set and controlled and medical units must be on standby at all times,” he added.

So how do they plan to control the wind direction?

I would love to get in one of those. I wonder how much would cost a trip, both links in the article point to the chiang mai balloon festival and they don't even show the price anyway.

I guess they are going to call in all the local experts on balloning.......oh wait

On a relatively small (narrow) island with a mountain range running the full length, and prevailing winds blowing across, I would've though Phuket was unsuitable for this type of ballooning. Considering the busy airport has flights constantly descending across the island for landing I would think safety would be a big issue.

However, I'm no expert, presumably they know what they're doing.