Loy Krathong: Chiang Mai airport scraps 112 flights
Chiang Mai airport canceled 112 flights next week and rescheduled 50 flights to avoid accidents during Loy Krathong. Revelers then always release large lanterns that pose a danger to aviation. The cancellations affect 20.000 passengers and result in a loss of revenue of two million baht.
Loy Krathong, the festival during which krathongs are launched, lasts from 5 to 7 November. During the festival, cleaners from the airport collect lanterns from and around the airport ten times a day. Last year there were 1.419.
The cabinet decided on Tuesday that the lanterns may only be sent into the air after 21 p.m. The city of Bangkok has banned the release of lanterns at important historical sites, government buildings, the two airports, high-rise buildings and residential areas. And let's hope that the partygoers stick to the rules. (Source: Bangkok Post, October 30, 2014)
Background
The Loy Krathong festival is held annually in November. Literally, that name means 'to float a krathong'. The festival pays tribute to Phra Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of Water, to thank her and ask for forgiveness for using her domain. Launching a krathong is said to bring good luck and is a symbolic gesture to get rid of the bad things in life and start with a clean slate.
According to tradition, the festival goes back to the Sukothai era. One of the king's wives, named Nang Noppamas, is said to have invented the festival.
Traditionally, a krathong is made from a slice of a banana tree that is decorated with flowers, folded leaves of the tree, a candle and incense sticks. To get rid of the bad things in life, pieces of nail, hair and coins are added.
Modern krathongs are made from styrofoam – the city of Bangkok collected 2010 in 118.757. But because it takes more than 50 years for such a krathong to decompose, the use of environmentally friendly and compostable krathongs is promoted. In recent years, krathongs made from bread, water hyacinth and coconut husk were introduced.
In 2010, 9,7 billion baht was spent on the party; in 2009 an average of 1.272 baht per person. More than 2006 million krathongs were launched in Bangkok in 2007 and 1, and 2010 in 946.000. According to a survey of 2.411 people, 44,3 percent think teenagers have sexual intercourse during the party. (Source: Guru, Bangkok Post, Nov. 4–10, 2011)
The city of Bangkok has banned the release of lanterns at important historical sites, government buildings, the two airports, high-rise buildings and residential areas.
Is there still room left?