DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 2
Photography, Spiritual, Teach and Design, Travel

Sky Latern How-to – by lovely Thai Couple

Thais like to celebrate with Sky Lanterns. These are a paper “balloon” with a burner underneath.

First the burner must be attached to the lantern with thin wire. The burner is like a roll of tape that is impregnated with some kind of substance that burns with a nice big yellow flame, which gives the lantern that lovely bright warm glow. The burner is actually quite difficult to light, with a lighter, but once lit it stays lit.

DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 1
DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 1

Then you must wait for the balloon part to fill with hot air from the burner. Once there is enough hot air the sky lantern will take off, generally people give them a little encouragement, with a “push” skywards.

DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 2
DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 2

The real pros with these things light them then rest of the sand until ready to take off. However for a couple it’s nice for one to hold either side, until the lantern is ready to go.

DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 3
DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 3

The sky is lit up with 1000s of these laterns during Thai festivals such as Loy Catong, it’s a very pretty site.

DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 4
DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 4

These are the best photos I managed to get of the sky lanterns on the ground. The lovely Thai couple are totally absorbed and enjoying what they are doing, plus they were the most photogenic. I didn’t see this when I was taking the pictures, too busy fiddling with the camera !

DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 5
DonCharisma.org Loy Catong How To Do A Sky Lantern 5

Photos (c) Don Charisma, taken Thailand, Nov-2013

20 thoughts on “Sky Latern How-to – by lovely Thai Couple”

    1. Had to double check the photos to see what you mean … no the tide was really really far out, so it’s the water from where the sea would normally be !

  3. You should visit India during Uttarayan, its Kite Festival. The skies are filled with these lanterns and you’re right, it’s a lovely sight! 🙂 They can be dangerous, though. :-/

    1. I’d bring you one back, but I think customs would probably be very pissed off with bringing the burner (it’s flammable !) … shame they don’t sell them in UK, but I get the English would object to the litter aspect …

      1. There was an article in the papers not long ago about the dangers of sky lanterns. People have been lighting them up for Chinese New Year, and farmers and fire-fighters were complaining that they cause fires – apparently there have been a few instances.

      2. There always is, I’m suprised that people actually leave their houses in the UK, it’s dangerous crossing the road you know !

        Joking apart I can see the fire risk, but how do Thailand manage it ?

      4. LOL What that we are a nation of hypochondriacs or that Thailand manages perfectly well with sky lanterns where the UK has vetoed them based on the fire risk ?

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