Suvarnabhumi Airport has issued a formal advisory ahead of the Loy Krathong festival, asking residents and organisations in neighbouring districts of Bangkok to refrain from releasing sky lanterns, balloons, fireworks or laser-light displays, citing serious safety risks to aircraft during take-off and landing.

This request underscores the airport’s commitment to preserving smooth and secure aviation operations during one of Thailand’s busiest cultural celebrations.

Located in Samut Prakan province, the airport handles millions of domestic and international passengers annually and is particularly attentive to activities that may intrude into protected airspace.

The advisory underlines that objects such as floating lanterns can drift into flight paths, while fireworks and lasers may disrupt pilot vision or trigger unplanned responses in cockpit systems.

While deeply acknowledging the cultural significance of Loy Krathong—which is widely celebrated by lighting small rafts to float on water and, in recent years, releasing sky lanterns—the airport stops short of an outright ban, instead urging public self-regulation and formal permission for any planned releases.

It notes that parties wishing to proceed must obtain prior approval from their local district office and notify the airport or the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand at least seven days in advance.

As part of its safety plan, the airport will intensify surveillance of its runways and surrounding airspace during the festival period.

Teams will patrol the perimeter, inspect taxiways and clear any debris potentially linked to aerial objects.

Additionally, support from the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI) will aid in managing any inadvertent hazards to air traffic.

Public-outreach teams from the airport have already begun engaging local communities to communicate the legal penalties under the Air Navigation Act, which include fines and imprisonment for unauthorised aerial releases.

The airport emphasises that responsible celebration ensures both cultural observance and safe, uninterrupted air travel.

As the festival date approaches, airport officials will continue distributing guidelines to festival-organisers, hotels and tourism operators, encouraging safer alternatives such as riverside Florence lighting of krathongs or laser shows cleared in coordination with air-traffic control.

The initiative reflects Thailand’s broader effort to harmonise heritage celebrations with modern infrastructure demands.