In short
- According to the Bangkok Post, 108 flights are cancelled, 80 rescheduled and 105 extra added from 21 to 28 November 2026.
- The airport works to a reduced schedule on 24 November between 10am and noon, and on the evenings of 24 and 25 November from 7pm to 1am.
- Around 210 flights a day are expected, possibly 232, about 10% above normal, with queues likely in the terminal at peak times.
- Sky lanterns are banned in the marked red zones, particularly under take-off and landing paths, and airfield checks have been increased.
What to do
- 1Check your departure or arrival time with your airline before leaving for Chiang Mai.
- 2Allow extra time at the terminal on 24 and 25 November, especially around the restricted hours.
- 3Keep sky lanterns away from the airport and out of the marked red zones.
- 4If your flight has moved, ask the airline for a rebooking before buying another ticket.
What changes at Chiang Mai airport?
Chiang Mai International Airport has set out changes for 21–28 November 2026, according to the Bangkok Post. It does not close: the airport stays open with a shorter daily window, and both Yi Peng and Loy Krathong go ahead under safety measures.
According to the same report, the airport has:
- cancelled 108 flights and rescheduled 80;
- added 105 extra flights;
- cut its daily operating window from about 20 hours to 12;
- said it expects an average of 210 flights a day, possibly 232, roughly 10% more than on a normal day.
For the overland option, the Bangkok to Chiang Mai guide covers night trains, buses and flights.
Who is affected, and on which days?
The changes concern anyone flying into, out of or through Chiang Mai between 21 and 28 November 2026, and above all on 24 and 25 November. They also concern residents and organisers who release lanterns close to the airport, the Bangkok Post reports.
The report gives two restricted slots:
- 24 November, 10am to noon;
- the evenings of 24 and 25 November, 7pm to 1am the following morning.
Packing a heavier schedule into a shorter day may mean queues inside the terminal at peak times, the airport says. The Loy Krathong guide sets out where the celebrations take place and how the lantern rules work.
What do the lantern rules mean for travellers?
Citing information available on 30 October, the airport estimated that 200,000 sky lanterns and smoke lanterns could be released inside its aviation safety zone during the festival, the Bangkok Post reports. Releases are strictly forbidden in the red zones that have been mapped out, in particular under the paths aircraft use to take off and land.
Pilots and airlines were told in advance which hours lanterns may be released, and ground teams now walk the airfield more often to spot lanterns and other loose objects that could obstruct aircraft, according to the report. For travellers the effect is on departure and arrival times, not on the festival itself. The month-by-month guide helps with dates and regional weather.
Travelling soon? Plan around it
Build a day-by-day Thailand route that keeps flexible days where the weather and transport are uncertain.
FAQ
Questions
Is Chiang Mai airport closed for Yi Peng?
No. According to the Bangkok Post it stays open, with a daily window of about 12 hours instead of 20, from 21 to 28 November 2026.
Can I still fly on 24 or 25 November?
Flights are scheduled, but times may move. Restrictions apply on 24 November from 10am to noon and on both evenings from 7pm to 1am; confirm with your airline.
Sources
We cross-check each story against official pages and several media, and rewrite it in our own words for travellers.
