Whenever I’m asked for travel advice about Thailand I always say, “You MUST go in November for the Yi Peng Thai Lantern Festival!” One of my very first blog posts was about my Yi Peng Lantern Festival experience because I wanted to help make travelers’ dream of going come true. In my post, I explain that there are two main Yi Peng Lantern Releases – a free, “traditional” celebration and a “tourist” one that costs $100 USD for tickets. Attending the traditional release was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life so I was devastated when I read three words I never thought I would see together:
Yi Peng Cancelled
As a traveler who experienced the visual and spiritual magic of releasing my own lantern into the night sky during THE Yi Peng Thai Lantern Festival, I still can’t believe it. I feel terrible for travelers (and locals!) who planned their trip to Southeast Asia around attending Yi Peng Thai Lantern Festival and now can’t find tickets for the sold out “tourist” celebration on November 25, 2015. To any traveler that is disappointed – I feel for you. No matter what, being in Chiang Mai during the Yi Peng Thai Lantern Festival and Loi Krathong is still magical in itself. I hope that the traditional Yi Peng Thai Lantern Festival returns in 2016 (and beyond). Here’s 16 photos why Yi Peng should rise again!
“And at last I see the light. And it’s like, the sky is new.”
– Disney Tangled
2 Comments
Hi Justin ,
Did you had any idea to getting as close as possible to Mae Jo University the night of the tourist event. I wanted to go for the event so much but unfortunately the free event is cancelled yet the paid event ticket is sold out .
Hope to get from you soon .
Thanks for your amazing blog Justin. I am one of those travelers who planned her entire SE asia trip around yi peng only to arrive and hear the free event is canceled and of course the paid is sold out. Had anyone volunteered any info on new releases? Also where can we buy our own lanterns here? Thanks again chief