CityNews – The 33rd Military Circle has announced the cancellation of the planned Thai International Cultural Lantern Festival in fear that it will affect the image of Lanna and its culture.
On the 14th August, there was a cancellation announcement of a planned event which was slated to be held at Huay Tung Tao Lake and which was expected to attract over 20,000 visitors. Organisers were the Tourism Industry Council of Chiang Mai, the Huay Tung Tao Promotion Project Office and an unnamed media group which had planned this event for the 11th and 12th of November later this year with the aim of entering the Guinness Book of World Records as the most lanterns released in the world at one time.
However, following much criticism from many sectors of society by those who consider the practice hazardous which could lead to negative press about Chiang Mai and its traditions, the event has now been cancelled.