A unique traditional celebration is a powerful motivation for visitors and local people to explore other cultures through festivals (Tanford and Jung, 2017).
This post will present the significant festival in Chiang Mai called Yi Peng festival. The celebration occurs “on the evening of the first full moon of twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar, people in the northern city of Chiang Mai release lanterns” (Marfhall,2015). The author will analyse the issue of Festival of Yi Peng in Chiang Mai that has affected the local community. It can be observed that the Yi Peng festival can be a problem to aviation in Thailand because thousands of sky lanterns are released during that period. Therefore, some people declare that the cultural festival like Yi Peng should stop happening.
On the one hand, Tanford and Jung (2017) stated that economic, social and cultural aspects can have benefits from festivals during the celebration, “whereby people travel to the destination to attend specific events”. Each year, the Thai people believe that this cultural festival is an opportunity for them to release bad luck from their life through thousands of lanterns (Newton, 2014). Similar to Marfhall(2015) study, the study claims that the meaning of the lanterns , or “Khom Loy” is anything bad or any cares that they release and say goodbye to. In terms of economic impact, the festivals of Yi Peng can generate income for local communities when they have the event throughout the area(Tyrrell&Johnston,2001).
On the other hand, there are the negative impacts on the local community. The Nation (2017) reported that festival activities including releasing the sky lantern “could be a danger to aviation”. It revealed from the data that:
“Chiang Mai International Airport has rescheduled and cancelled some flights between Friday and Saturday as a safety measure during the Yi Peng Lantern festival, the airport’s director said on Monday.” (By The Nation news on October 30, 2017 15:35).
In addition, Hickman (2009) argues that the sky lanterns also have the environmental impact, the lanterns today are made with fuel canisters to give it power. Due to this, it might cause forest fires and the International airport does not want to share their airspace with the sky lanterns due to the security reasons (Hickman,2009).
(The example of lantern’s effect)
Indeed, even with the possibility of legal action, locals and visitors chose to take part in the tradition instead of abiding by the law. It was an incredibly beautiful display in the dark sky, despite the law. However, there are some solutions that can be used during Yi Peng festival. Chiang Mai authorities can make an announcement for the releasing the sky lanterns by scheduling specific time periods. The Nation News (2017) reports that;
“Chiang Mai authorities’ have announced that fire lanterns can only be released during Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals between 7pm and 1am. Smoke lanterns can be released on Friday between 10am and noon” (By The Nation news on October 30, 2017)
As a result, Yi Peng festival can be protected for the future generation and there is the reduction of some negative impacts on the local community during the celebration. In my opinion, no one needs to lose their traditional way of celebration or their cultural identity.
References:
Hickman, L. (2009). What’s the environmental impact of a sky lantern? Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/31/sky-lanterns [Accessed 27 Nov. 2017].
Marshall, A. (2015). Gorgeous, Floating Lanterns Ground Flights in Thailand. Available at:https: //www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/11/gorgeous-floating-lanterns-ground-flights-in-thailand/417210/ [Accessed 27 Nov. 2017].
Newton, P. (2014). Thailand lights up the night sky with lantern festival. Available at: http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/thailand-loi-krathong-festival/index.html [Accessed 27 Nov. 2017].
Tanford, S. and Jung, S. (2017). Festival attributes and perceptions: A meta-analysis of relationships with satisfaction and loyalty. Tourism Management, 61, pp.209-220.
The Nation (2017). Airport adjusts flights for safety during Yi Peng Lantern festival. The Nation.30 October [online] Available at: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30330400 [Accessed 27 Nov. 2017].
Tyrrell, T. J., & Johnston, R. J. (2001). A framework for assessing direct economic impacts of tourist events: distinguishing origins, destinations, and causes of expenditures. Journal of Travel Research, 40(1), 94-100.
Pictures:
http://www.chiangmai.bangkok.com/info/yee-peng-festival.htm#promo
https://news.thaivisa.com/article/11258/chiang-mai-airport-prepares-for-lanterns-on-runway
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