Look out: there are dangerous lanterns about

Imagine an airport closing down at night because local residents are launching lanterns into the sky.

That's the case in Thailand, where Chiang Mai International Airport (above) has announced it will cut its daily flight operating window from around 20 hours to about 12 hours during the 2026 Yi Peng and Loy Krathong celebrations.

The reason given: mass sky lantern releases near flight paths.

Flights will be suspended during the main lantern-release period from 7pm to 1am on the nights of Tuesday, November 24, and Wednesday, November 25, news outlet Asean Now reports.

Airlines have already cancelled 108 flights, re-timed 80 and added 105 extra services for November 21-28.

Group Captain Sakan Udol, the airport's general manager, said sky lanterns, illuminated lanterns and smoke lanterns will be released in several parts of Chiang Mai during the festival.

More than 200,000 sky lanterns and smoke lanterns are expected within the airport's aviation safety zone.

Airlines have been asked not to operate from 10am to noon on November 24, and from 7pm until 1am the following morning on both November 24 and 25.

The restrictions are intended to prevent lanterns and other airborne objects from endangering aircraft and engines, while allowing the Lanna festival traditions to continue.

# Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are Chiang Mai's twin festivals of light, held together over three nights on the full moon of the 12th lunar month.