Yi Peng Lantern Festival – Chiang Mai

Some background information before I begin…

Yi Peng is a Buddhist event; a time to honor the Buddha, reflect and to release one’s inner demons.  The festival takes place at sites across Thailand, but the event at Chiang Mai, which is the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom (where the festival originated), is the biggest and most spectacular in the nation.

At Nature’s Way Hostel, I met up with Nathan, Cy, Tamara and Hannah, who had already constructed their krathong, small floating vessels made from banana stalks, adorned with flowers and candles.

We joined throngs of excited people, both Westerners and Thais alike, as we walked form Thepae Gate toward the River.  Khom loi (sky lanterns), were already starting to appear in the night sky.

Down at the muddy bank of the Ping River, we took turns lighting our krathong and casting them into the water and then launching our khom loi into the darkness.

Andrew’s instructions for launching a khom loi safely:

1. Find an area unobstructed by trees and telephone wires to avoid catastrophic airborne disaster.
2. Spread open the rice-paper balloon so that there are no creases, careful not to rip it.
3. Hold the lantern on its side, supporting the rim with one hand and the end of balloon with the other .
4. Have a friend light the fuel element with a lighter (this will take a few seconds)
5. Turn the lantern upright once lit.
6. Hold the rim with two hands and wait for the lantern to fill with hot air.
7. Once you feel the khom loi struggling to release itself from your grasp, close your eyes, make a wish, and then gently let it go.
8. Gaze upward and watch it fly for as long as possible, contemplating about how your worries and inner demons are departing.  Amazing.

Releasing khom loi, clockwise from top-left: Nathan, Tamara, myself, Cy, Hannah.

We had one extra lantern, so we released it as a team.

After the last lantern was cast upward, we grabbed a bottle of Hong Thong and a 2-L of Coke from 7-11, and settled next to the Nakornping Bridge.  All around us, was one giant party.  We made friends with a group of local Thais, who were all smiles as we handed them celebratory shots of whiskey.  Despite the laughter and joy, we were always on alert as firecrackers and sparklers zinged over our heads.

Late into the night, lanterns continued to sail up into the darkness, painting the sky with light (and hope).