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

Chiang Mai's Loy Krathong sky lantern windows are 24 and 25 November 2026, in the evening from 19:00 to 01:00 Thai time. Release is banned in the airport safety zone and the red watch zone, and elsewhere needs a district chief permit applied for 30 days ahead. The fine is up to THB 200,000.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Chiang Mai’s sky lantern windows for Loy Krathong 2026 run on 24 and 25 November, in the evening from 19:00 to 01:00 Thai time. The notice covers both Chiang Mai and Lamphun Province. The airport zone is the rule that catches visitors out: release is banned there.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng 2026 dates

The Chiang Mai notice runs from 24 November 2026 at 0300 UTC to 25 November 2026 at 1800 UTC. It was published on 23 July 2026. Add 7 hours to UTC for Thai time.

Chiang Rai has its own notice, from 23 November 2026 at 0300 UTC to 25 November 2026 at 1800 UTC. Its windows on 23, 24 and 25 November are 0300-0500 and 1400-1800 UTC daily, which is 10:00-12:00 and 21:00-01:00 Thai time.

Chiang Mai lantern rules: permits and banned zones

Lighting and releasing sky lanterns, lamps, smoke lanterns and similar objects in Chiang Mai needs permission from the district chief. The district chief states the area, the number, the type and the size.

Outside the banned areas, the permit is applied for at least 30 days before the day of release. Ask your hotel or the event organiser which site holds a permit.

Where release is banned

• The air-navigation safety zone near Chiang Mai airport.
• Special watch zone level 1, the red area: 4.6 km either side of the runway line, over 18.5 km from the runway ends, in the listed sub-districts.

At Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai airports, release in the safety zone and the red watch zone is not allowed at any time.

Where you cannot buy a lantern

Selling lanterns is banned in temples, schools, public ways, public places, government offices, the airport safety zone and the old city of Chiang Mai. Permitted areas and wholesale are the exceptions.

What Chiang Mai allowed in 2024

In 2024 Chiang Mai allowed lanterns and lamps on 15 and 16 November between 19:00 and 01:00. Smoke lanterns were allowed on 15 November between 10:00 and 12:00. Use that pattern as a guide, and check the 2026 times with the district office.

Chiang Rai lantern sizes

Chiang Rai permits only these lantern specifications:

• Diameter not over 90 cm.
• Height not over 140 cm.
• Volume not over 1 cubic metre.
• Burn time not over 8 minutes.

Smoke lanterns, fireworks and drones

Chiang Mai sets a size for smoke lanterns (wao hom). They are made of kite paper in sheets of not over 50 x 75 cm, with not over 72 sheets per lantern. The mouth is not less than 60 cm across.

Avoid paper in the colour of the sky, such as blue, white and grey. A smoke lantern or similar object over 1 cubic metre in volume needs permission under the Air Navigation Act.

Floating lanterns, lamps, smoke lanterns, flares, rockets, fireworks, balloons and releasing drones all count as air-safety risks. A drone flight within 9 km of an airport runway centre line needs the airport’s permission.

Outside the safety zone, anyone who wants to release a lantern must ask permission from the relevant state official.

Flights and Chiang Mai airport

The direction and height of released sky lanterns is unpredictable. A lantern can drift far from where it is released and affect aircraft near an aerodrome.

During 15 and 16 November 2024, airlines cancelled or retimed 154 flights at Chiang Mai airport. That was 66 cancelled and 88 retimed. Expect the same pattern in 2026 and check your airline.

Fines for illegal lantern release

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. The penalty is far heavier if a lantern damages an aircraft in service. It is 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: materials

No government rule on krathong materials was found. A minister urged celebrants in 2025 to use krathongs made from natural materials to reduce environmental impact and protect water resources. A banana-trunk krathong is the safe choice.

Before you go: Loy Krathong 2026 checklist

• Plan around 24 and 25 November 2026 for Chiang Mai lanterns.
• Release lanterns only at a site with a district chief permit.
• Stay out of the airport safety zone and the red watch zone.
• Do not buy lanterns from street sellers in the old city or temples.
• Check your flight: 154 flights were changed in 2024.
• Pick a natural krathong.

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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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