Chiang Mai residents in five districts have been banned from releasing lanterns during the Yee Peng festival on Nov 24, as the activity poses a risk to aircraft.
But they are free to do so on Nov 25 and on Dec 31 to mark the Loy Krathong and New Year Eve celebrations since flights are being rescheduled to accommodate the activity on those days, provincial governor Pawin Chumniprasas said.
He said a meeting attended by various authorities agreed to impose the ban on lantern releases as a precautionary measure.
The lantern release is the mainstay of the Yee Peng annual festival held to celebrate the full moon in the northern capital, preceding Loy Krathong by one day in November.
The areas subject to the ban are Muang district; Hang Dong district; Nong Harn sub-district of San Sai district; Muang Kaew, Don Kaew, Rim Tai and Mai Sa sub-districts of Mae Rim district; and Nong Pueng, Kuew Mung, Dong Kaew, San Sai and Ta Wang Tan sub-districts of Saraphi district. He urged residents to understand the need for the ban on lantern releases and abide by it.