Legal Measures for Sky Lantern Release

Abstract

This research is a comparative analysis study of legal measures for sky lantern release in Thailand with international law and the laws of foreign counties. The research study was based on a quality method design. In addition, a document research is also carried out of various contents regarding legal measures for sky lantern release. The findings were that Thailand lacked strict policy in the past and ignored the problems related to sky lanterns release. As it showed that there were only few campaigns or public relations that spread the problems, concerns, and awareness of releasing sky lanterns in Thai society. Therefore, most people did not know the details and did not aware of the problems. They were not willing to change their thoughts and attitudes. They did not realize the effects of releasing sky lanterns. In addition, there were no strict laws and regulations that directly prohibit people and punish them for releasing sky lanterns, Thai hot air balloons, Thai rockets, and similar objects. During the years 2013-2015, the government had set up the policy, guidelines, preventive measures, and danger reduction of releasing sky lanterns, Thai hot air balloons, and Thai rockets. In addition, the relevant laws and safety measures have been enforced across the country and provinces. Moreover, National Council for Peace and Order No.27/2559 has introduced preventive measures and trouble solving from lighting Thai rockets, ‘wheel’ fireworks, releasing sky lanterns, and similar objects, covering measures aimed at preventing the abuse of such activities, when and where they can be carried out. In some areas, these activities were banned without permission. These measures have been announced publicly and enforced continuously in order to reach the goal effectively.

In addition, there were similar problems and the effects from sky lantern overseas. The laws in many countries tend to intervene, control, and monitor sky lantern such as setting prohibitions ranging from using or releasing, selling, producing, importing, or distributing sky lanterns. They set the policy, guidelines, and preventive measures and danger reduction which were similar to Thai safety measures. For example, United Kingdom, several states in the United States, Australia, and Republic of Costa Rica have arranged interesting campaigns and promotion in order to build perceptions and understandings among publics and relevant organizations through different channels such as websites, social media, newspaper, broadcasts, discussion, etc. The researcher found that the attitudes and perception were related to cultural tradition, ways of living, goodwill, habits of rights and liberty reasoning, celebrations, entertaining, and personal and group satisfaction. In the overall, Thailand and several countries needed to adjust their attitudes and increase perception, be aware of dangers, constraint in setting policy, measures, and laws. All sectors had to work on public relations and campaign effectively and continuously.