The Hot Air Lanterns of the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival

1. Skipweasel
   October 29th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

   We used to do something similar in Kent just below the North Downs. For several weeks there were reports of UFOs in the local paper.
   Better than hot air were long bags of natural gas with a timer made of a fag with match-heads taped to it. When the fag burned down far enough it touched off the match-heads which set off the gas in the bag. Black bag - invisible in the night sky until suddenly a great rolling flare and then just as suddenly nothing.
   Happy days.

2. Skipweasel
   October 29th, 2009 at 4:20 pm

   Ah - looks like the comment filter doesn't like the British slang word for a cigarette! Perhaps it'll turn up later.

3. SenorMysterioso
   October 29th, 2009 at 5:54 pm

   anytime Ive tried to make one it turned into a mini hindenburg

4. Hola
   October 29th, 2009 at 6:20 pm

   1. That's a beautiful sight.
   2. Skip that's very clever. Though a tad dangerous.

5. Kevin
   October 29th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

   If you watch closely, you can see one fireball returning to the ground. I'd hate to be under it.

6. dsf
   October 30th, 2009 at 12:47 am

   that is absolutely breathtaking
   Beautiful

7. Johnny Cat
   October 30th, 2009 at 1:21 am

   For sure, the coolest thing I've seen all day.

8. andydandy
   October 30th, 2009 at 2:40 am

   "Sky lanterns" is what they're called: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_lantern

   I think they are originally Chinese...but in the Chinese version you write your wishes on the lanterns before setting them off. They have a big festival every new year in Pingxi, Taiwan

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEAIdbBwQGM

9. Kirk
   October 30th, 2009 at 5:46 am

   I was on Railay beach in Thailand earlier this summer and watched people trying to set these things off in the ocean wind. Hilarious. A popular bar almost caught fire as the fiery plastic/paper contraption flew along the ground and NOT into the air as intended.

   Still... The successful mass release of these in low winds is indeed beautiful.

10. artbot
    October 31st, 2009 at 3:27 am

    This is poetically beautiful! Just wonderful, flaming wreckage and all.

    I made one of these as a kid. We used dry-cleaning bags and candles, pre-heating the air in the bag with a tray of bbq coals.

11. Amelia Jones
    November 4th, 2009 at 3:16 am

    Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs.

    Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

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