MoU aims to end danger from sky lanterns, rockets

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport signed a memorandum of understanding with a number of organizations to protect aircraft from sky lanterns and locally-launched rockets.

Transport Minister Prajin Juntong presided over the signing ceremony at the ministry today. Signatories were from the ministry, the ministries of interior, defense, tourism & sports, education and culture, the Royal Thai Police Office, the Public Relations Department, the National Office of Buddhism and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

The MoU takes immediate effect and will be valid until 2018.

The organizations will form a joint committee to implement measures to control the public’s sky lanterns and rockets and the Ministry of Transport’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning will coordinate the committee.

The minister said the MoU directives on the issue was the first of its kind as launching sky lanterns and rockets were highly dangerous for aviation, and rockets were also launched for gambling.

The MoU aims to create understanding to preserve beautiful traditions, and controlling sky lanterns and Bang Fai rockets in compliance with the law to prevent impacts on aviation and the general public.

The transport ministry will push to amend the hazardous substances law to cover sky lanterns and Bang Fai rockets. (MCOT onlne news)

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