Loy Krathong and Yi Peng 2026: Dates, Lantern Rules, Fines

Go on 24 or 25 November 2026, in the evening: Chiang Mai's lantern window runs 19:00 to 01:00 Thai time. Stay out of the airport safety zone and the red watch zone, where release is banned. Anywhere else the site needs a district chief permit applied for 30 days ahead, and fines reach THB 200,000.

If you want to release a sky lantern in Chiang Mai, go on the evening of 24 or 25 November 2026, when the notified window runs from 19:00 to 01:00 Thai time. The catch is the airport zone, where release is banned, so pick a permitted site rather than wandering into the wrong field.

When to go

The notice is written in UTC, and Thai time is UTC plus 7 hours. Here is each window in local time.

Heading to Chiang Rai instead? It follows its own notice, and the evening window there opens later, at 21:00 Thai time, on 23, 24 and 25 November. Check the lantern against the size limits in that notice before you buy one.

Where you can and cannot release

Every release in Chiang Mai needs the district chief’s permission, and that covers sky lanterns, lamps and smoke lanterns. Ask your hotel or the event organiser which site holds a permit. Organisers apply at least 30 days ahead.

Two zones are off limits at any time of day: the air-navigation safety zone near Chiang Mai airport and the red watch zone around it. The ban stands through the festival too.

Buying is restricted as well. Selling is banned at temples, schools, public places, government offices, the airport safety zone and the old city, unless the area is permitted. If a stall near the moat is selling lanterns, walk on to a permitted site.

Will it affect my flight?

Maybe. Nobody can predict which way a released lantern will go or how high, and one that drifts can affect aircraft near an aerodrome. In 2024, airlines changed 154 flights at Chiang Mai airport over two festival days, so keep an eye on your booking if you fly around these dates.

What the fines look like

Releasing a lantern in the air-navigation safety zone carries up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to THB 200,000, or both. If a lantern damages an aircraft in service, the penalty climbs to death, life imprisonment, or 15 to 20 years and a fine of THB 600,000 to 800,000.

หากฝ่าฝืนมีบทลงโทษสูงสุด คือจำคุกไม่เกิน 5 ปีหรือปรับไม่เกิน 200,000 บาทหรือทั้งจำทั้งปรับ

“For violations the maximum penalty is imprisonment not over 5 years or a fine not over 200,000 baht, or both.”

Airports of Thailand, citing section 59/1 of the Air Navigation Act

Krathongs

For the float itself, we recommend natural materials, which is what a minister urged celebrants to use in 2025. It is good practice rather than law.

Before you go

• Plan around 24 and 25 November 2026 for Chiang Mai lanterns.
• Release only at a site that holds a district chief permit.
• Keep out of the airport safety zone and the red watch zone.
• Check your flight before you travel.

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Not confirmed: No 2026 provincial list of permitted release sites was found, so ask the district office which site holds a permit. Confirm the Loy Krathong date and the Yi Peng programme with the Chiang Mai tourism office. Airlines changed 154 flights in 2024.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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