Lantern making and floating lights (silk lanterns, sky lanterns, krathongs)

Refresher

1. Silk lantern: even the bamboo ribs on their rings before covering; glue sparingly and stretch silk taut; trim close to the rib.
2. Use LEDs inside finished silk lanterns, not candles.
3. Sky lantern: two people hold it upright while it fills with hot air; let go only when it lifts on its own; calm air only; never near wires, trees or roofs.
4. Release only where it's legal: Pingxi has a defined zone and hours; in Chiang Mai, release only at authorised events (official rule page: Unconfirmed: no official source).
5. Krathong: banana-trunk base, folded banana-leaf petals pinned with wooden pins; flowers, one candle, incense; float-test in a bucket; no foam, plastic or staples.
6. Tie back hair and loose sleeves near flames; keep water nearby.

Practise before you go

• Make a paper lantern on a skewer frame.
• Fold krathong petals from leaves or paper.
• Rehearse a lantern release with an unlit paper bag.