Chiang Mai Halts Loy Krathong Festival Over Scam Warning
Chiang Mai's Doi Saket subdistrict has cancelled this year's Yee Peng Loy Krathong festival at Nong Bua Luang Lake due to an ongoing 108-million-baht renovation project expected to finish in 2027. Officials warn residents to avoid scammers
Mongkol Chaiyavut, subdistrict chief of Chiang Mai's Doi Saket district, announced that Chiang Mai Subdistrict Municipality will skip this year's Yee Peng Loy Krathong festival at Nong Bua Luang Lake. The decision comes as a 108-million-baht landscape and infrastructure improvement project is underway at the site, expected to take approximately 18 months and be completed in 2027. Once finished, the municipality plans to resume hosting the festival in November 2028 to celebrate the newly renovated area.
Chaiyavut also issued an urgent warning about private individuals fraudulently claiming to represent the municipality and selling tickets and tour packages for a fake event at the lake. He emphasized that no official event will take place this year and that the municipality is not partnering with any external organizations. Large-scale festivals like this require months of advance planning, official permits for sky lantern releases, and numerous other preparations, he explained. Chaiyavut urged residents to wait until the improvements are complete before celebrating together at the renewed venue.
