THAI reschedules Bangkok-Chiang Mai flights during Loy Krathong Festival

BANGKOK, November 10 (TNA) - Thai Airways International, the national flag carrier, has rescheduled its Bangkok-Chiang Mai flights during this year's Loy Krathong Festival to prevent any adverse effect on the flights from northern people's traditionally flying lanterns during the Loy Kratong Festival, which falls on November 14. THAI Director for Aviation Safety, Security and Standards Prathana Pattanasiri told journalists of the information on Thursday, explaining that during the annual Loy Krathong Festival, floating lanterns can be seen in several northern Thai provinces, which could affect the safety of aircraft, and THAI has, thus, decided to reschedule its Bangkok-Chiang Mai flights and vice versa during November 12-16. Prathana said some Bangkok-Chiang Mai flights will be rescheduled two or three hours ahead of the original schedules, as the launch of the lanterns mainly take place at night. According to the THAI executive, the national airline will increase flights during the daytime to serve passengers instead. Meanwhile, Bangkok-based University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting projected that about 9.64 billion baht will be changed hands during the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival, a 15.6 per cent year-on-year drop and the first fall over the past four years, as Thailand remains in the mourning period for late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. While making the prediction, the centre's director, Thanavath Phonvichai, noted that the projected spending should account for 1,105.31 baht per head. Thanavath revealed a recent survey found that most of the respondents would wish sending off the late and beloved Thai King to the Heaven while floating their Krathong rafts. (TNA)