The Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand embodied the essence of Thailand’s ‘Safety Last!’ moto. If I’d believe in miracles I’d say it was a miracle the city hasn’t burnt down. Since I don’t I’ll just say it’s a statistical deviation – read on!

A lantern stuck in a tree

Lighting the night sky

Thousands of people went out to the streets, buying small hot air lanterns and literally burning their money into the sky for “good luck”. The air balloons mostly lit the sky in a beautiful, if very polluting display. Some of the balloons weren’t so lucky and got tangled in trees and electric lines, burning everything in their way. But a power outage here and there is not going to stop the celebration is it?

There were also parades and food stalls

One of the smallest Fireworks that filled the night

but the real danger was the Fireworks. It seems the municipality found a way to save funds. Instead of paying for fireworks they just make it legal (or at least not illegal) to buy and shoot fireworks anywhere you want. Walking down the road felt like a war zone, fire crackers exploding left and right. More than one massive firework missile was accidentally shot into a bar or hotel. Kids as young as two years old were playing with explosives in the road. Hopefully they came out of the 3 day festival with the same amount of fingers.

It’s not stars – it’s lanterns!