“Lantern of Lanna Kingdom” Innovative Flameless Balloon Sky Lantern

“Lantern of Lanna Kingdom,” an Innovative Flameless Balloon Sky Lantern, Safe and Eco-Friendly
Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai launches a new type of luck-enhancing lantern release activity at Wat Sri Suphan, piloting the innovation

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The “Balloon Sky Lantern,” the first in Thailand, uses helium gas instead of real fire. The floatation can be safely controlled without affecting the environment, aiming to solve the problem of secretly releasing lanterns in prohibited areas. It also highlights a spiritual check-in point to pray to King Mueang Kaeo throughout this February - March.
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Reporters from Chiang Mai Province reported that on the evening of February 11, 2026, at Wat Sri Suphan, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, the luck-enhancing lantern release activity, a highlight of Wat Sri Suphan, or Lantern of Lanna Kingdom, was launched. This applies the concept of inventing and developing the "Balloon Sky Lantern" innovation for the first time in Thailand, hoping to set a new standard for Lanna tradition to advance alongside sustainability. It also opens a spiritual check-in point to pray for love and career luck during this February - March.
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This activity started from the classroom to real-world application by the Ex-MBA program, Chiang Mai University, which utilized Design Thinking to develop a prototype of a flameless sky lantern with national professional standards from Party Villa Balloons Chiangmai. They used advanced balloon-making techniques to create lanterns that flutter beautifully and realistically, while being safe for life and property. This also includes collaboration with the Tourist Police to co-create responsible tourism.

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The Chiang Mai Tourist Police and Tourist Police Volunteers became part of the co-thinking and supporting team to sustainably solve the problem of fires caused by secretly releasing lanterns in communities, by helping maintain order and building confidence for tourists to have the best possible experience. Meanwhile, for spiritual, cultural, and historical enthusiasts praying to King Mueang Kaeo, the saintly king, tourists will experience the Lanna spirit through tangible activities. They can pray for good luck to "King Mueang Kaeo" and his Queen Mother, the monarchs who created the golden age of Buddhism in Lanna, emphasizing outstanding luck in "love and career."
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An interesting activity is the release of sky lanterns that feels just like releasing real sky lanterns into the sky, but these are environmentally friendly and safe. Plus, you can take beautiful photos while making wishes as hoped. For this lantern release, artificial lights are installed instead of real fire. When released, the lantern will float into the sky, and at a certain point, it will stop due to the attached string, preventing it from falling and causing problems for the locals. You can also enjoy taking pictures of them beautifully suspended in the sky in a unique way. It also includes the decorative lantern tunnel, a masterpiece crafted by the housewives' group of the Wat Sri Suphan community, generating income back to the community and serving as a spectacular photo landmark.
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Pol. Lt. Col. Makara Srisakulphisut, Inspector of the Chiang Mai Tourist Police Station (Sub-division 1, Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 2), acting as a representative of master's degree students of CMUBS, Master of Business Administration in Business Innovation for Executives, or Ex-MBA, Chiang Mai University, revealed that this activity is expected to help reduce the problem of tourists secretly releasing sky lanterns in prohibited areas, which is frequently done by foreign tourists, leading to fire hazards and waste problems. It is expected that this activity will allow tourists to release lanterns as they intend. This point will be an alternative for tourists and should help solve the problem for Chiang Mai Province.

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This activity will be carried out from February to March. After that, it will be evaluated, and if successful, it will be expanded to other temples in Chiang Mai Province, including during the Loy Krathong Festival or the Yi Peng Tradition of Chiang Mai Province later this year.
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Karan Uthai, or Master Bank Monthewa, said that in today's activity, we paid homage to King Mueang Kaeo, which is considered important for Chiang Mai people. He is the founder of Wat Sri Suphan and an ancient king. Releasing lanterns is also related to Buddhism, and this activity is considered a good activity in terms of tourism as well. This is because, in the present era, faith-based tourism is increasingly seen. Currently, various temples have organized activities for tourists and the public to learn in terms of faith, culture, and history, which will not be too superstitious. The positive effect is that it will make people have faith, preserve Buddhism, and lead to more wisdom in the future, helping tourists to better understand faith-based activities.
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As for the lantern release at this temple, we have brought in an innovation involving helium gas filled in balloons and placed inside the sky lanterns to simulate releasing real lanterns. Although legally prohibited from being released in the aviation zone, we can control them so they do not float away into the sky, making it a faith-based worship where one can fully make wishes.
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News and Photo Credits: Facebook Nation TV, Northern News Center
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