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As the moon casts its gentle glow over a land steeped in tradition, the night skies of November 27th are poised to twinkle with a festive spirit unlike any other. In the midst of this serene enchantment, Deputy Spokesperson Radklao Suwankiri from the Office of the Prime Minister extends a heartfelt invitation to the populace, beckoning them to the joyous embrace of the Loy Krathong festival. Yet, within this call to celebration lies a note of caution, a reminder of the delicate dance between revelry and safety.
Radklao, with the wisdom born of foresight, issues a friendly yet firm decree: “Let not the flames of excitement kindle a blaze of mishap.” The very act of casting wishes to the skies—in the form of floating lanterns which ascend with whispers of hope—is met with gentle restraint. Radklao’s words dance upon the air, a ballet of concern, as she announces a clear ban on activities that pierce the celestial canvas: releasing balloons, piloting drones, and any airborne escapades are not to grace this festive eve.
In a narrative interwoven with legal lore, she brings our attention to the intricate tapestry of the 2019 Air Navigation Act (No. 14), coupled with the ominous threads of the 2015 Certain Offences Against Air Navigation Act. These edicts, crafted with the meticulous hand of governance, cast a protective net over land and sky alike, with consequences for transgression that range from stern fines—upwards of 800,000 baht—to the somber confines of a lifetime’s imprisonment, and under the gravest of circumstances, the relinquishment of life itself.
The festival’s luminous heart is echoed in Radklao’s pragmatic guidance; in times of unexpected peril, she illuminates the path to sanctuary with a quartet of lifelines: 191, 1669, 1646, and 1997. These numerical beacons stand ready to pierce the veil of distress, should the need arise amidst the revelry.
Yet, why such caution? The narrative unfurls further to reveal the ghosts of festivals past, with the National Institute for Emergency Medicine chronicling a haunting increase in merriment-turned-misfortune. With 545 casualties of celebration recorded in the bygone year of 2022, a rise from the gentle ebb of 421 in 2021, one can almost hear the silent echo of fireworks — not only a spectacle of light but of lament as well.
With these chronicles laid bare, this year’s Loy Krathong is framed not only with flickers of joy but with the sober hues of vigilance. So let us steer our hearts toward mirth, but may our actions reflect the luster of wisdom. Tonight, as we gaze upon the waters bearing our Krathongs, let us entrust our wishes to their silent voyage, and find solace in a celebration that unites, delights, and, above all, protects.
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