Thailand – Flight Cancellations & Changes due to Yee Peng (Loy Krathong)

Via: Chiang Mai – City News

Due to the Yee Peng Festival from 16th to 18th November 2013, some flight schedules have been cancelled or changed for safety reasons. Please check with your respective airlines before travelling.

AIR ASIA

Cancellation
FD3429 Don Muang – Chiang Mai 1835-1940
FD3430 Don Muang – Chiang Mai 2015-2130
FD3425 Don Muang – Chiang Mai 1920-2045
FD3426 Don Muang – Chiang Mai 2130-2245
FD3427 Don Muang – Chiang Mai 1835-1940
FD3428 Don Muang – Chiang Mai 2220-2335
FD3167 Phuket – Chiang Mai 1920-2115
FD3168 Phuket – Chiang Mai 2145-2350

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THAI AIWAYS

1. Changed
TG116 Suvarnnabhumi – Chiang Mai 1650-1800

2. Cancellation
TG117 Suvarnnabhumi – Chiang Mai
TG 122 Suvarnnabhumi – Chiang Mai
TG 120/121 Suvarnnabhumi – Chiang Mai
TG 2124/2125 Suvarnnabhumi – Chiang Mai

3. Added on 18th Nov 2013
TG8711 Suvarnnabhumi – Chiang Mai 1545-1655
TG8711 Chiang Mai – Suvarnnabhumi 1745-1855

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HONG KONG EXPRESS

Changed

UO753 HKG-CNX 1225-1425

UO0754 CNX-HKG 1535-1915

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http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=2647

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Thailand – Loy Krathong – On, Off, back On again – YIPPEE!

Via: Bangkok Post

State organisations and the private sector may proceed with annual Loy Krathong celebrations which fall on Nov 17 despite the nation being in mourning for the Supreme Patriarch.

Tongthong Chandransu, the Prime Minister’s Office secretary-general said the government has not imposed a ban on festive activities following the death of the Supreme Patriarch on Oct 24 at the age of 100 years.

State and private agencies can organise Loy Krathong celebrations as they see fit, he said.

EARLIER  (yesterday, in fact), the Tourism Authority of Thailand postponed its annual Loy Krathong celebrations after the government extended the official mourning period to Nov 23.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/376938/loy-krathong-gets-go-ahead-from-govt

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personal thought:

The Thai goverment/Tourist Authority of Thailand have absolutely no f’n idea what they are doing, and that’s why it’s called:

AMAZING THAILAND!

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Chiang Mai – Mae Jo Lantern Release: – 16-Nov-2013 (6:30p.m.)

Via: Chiang Mai – City News

The event will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2013. It will begin at 1 p.m. with the lantern release at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=2550

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NOTE: The traffic/parking can be TERRIBLE! – so please allow plenty of time.

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Chiang Mai – Loy Krathong Festival – 25-29th November

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

The activities set to take place include lantern sculptures, fireworks, a Buddhism exhibition, a zodiac lantern park, lantern parades, a Yee Peng Children Beauty Contest, a Krathong contest, a Thai country music contest and much more. 

The mayor announced that the official opening of the Festival will take place on 27th November at 6.30 p.m at Tapae Gate. Smoking and alcohol will be prohibited from the exhibition and there will be police and custom officers on duty. The official press conference will be at 6 p.m on 18th November at the Three Kings Monument.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=891

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personal thought: If you ever get a chance to visit Chiang Mai during Loy Krathong – JUST DO IT! 🙂

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Chiang Mai – Loy Krathong or Yee Peng Festival draws both Thai and foreign tourists

Via: Chiangmai Mail

The Yee Peng Festival, or Loy Krathong as it is called in other parts of Thailand, was not, as reported in the international media, cancelled, instead, Chiang Mai has seen a huge influx of tourists to the town to float their krathongs on the river and moat and to loft their Khom Fai high in the sky, sending this year’s bad luck and problems soaring away.

Chiang Mai has remained a destination of choice for Thai people fleeing the floods further South and foreign tourists who wish to enjoy all the culture and beauty that Chiang Mai has to offer. The Yee Peng festival that culminated on Friday the 11^th with the Grand Parade and the awarding the King’s Cup for best float is just the start of an action filled calendar for Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is considered a top destination for tourists visiting Thailand and those who plan to visit should not cancel their plans as Chiang Mai remains dry and has many festivities scheduled. Later this month the International Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place at the Prince Royal’s College; the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek starts December 14 and runs through to March 14. Chiang Mai will have a fireworks display for the New Year, and next year will see the Flower Festival and many more events.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd16

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Loi Krathong (or Loy Krathong, Thai: ลอยกระทง) is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and certain parts of Laos and Burma (in Shan state).

Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.

Loi literally means ‘to float,’ while krathong refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the krathong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A krathong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins.

Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or styrofoam. A bread krathong will disintegrate in a few a days and be eaten by fish and other animals. The traditional banana stalk krathongs are also biodegradable, but styrofoam krathongs are frowned on, since they are polluting and may take years to disappear.

Regardless of the composition, a krathong will be decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. A low value coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. During the night of the full moon, Thais will float their krathong on a river, canal or a pond lake. The festival is believed to originate in an ancient practice of paying respect to the spirit of the waters.

Today it is simply a time to have fun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong

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