Yi Peng 2026: Chiang Mai Cancels 108 Flights, What Golfers Should Do

Chiang Mai International Airport has cancelled 108 flights and rescheduled 80 more between 21 and 28 November 2026, so that aircraft stay clear of the Yi Peng lantern releases. If you are flying in or out for golf that week, check your booking with your airline now and plan your rounds around the new times.

What has the airport announced?

Khaosod English reported on 3 November 2026 that airlines adjusted their schedules after a request from Chiang Mai provincial authorities. Across 21 to 28 November, 108 flights are cancelled, 80 are rescheduled and 105 special flights have been added. Airport officials estimate that about 200,000 sky and smoke lanterns could be released inside the airport's aviation safety zone.

Yi Peng and Loy Krathong fall on 24 and 25 November 2026. Those days carry the flight restrictions:

• 24 November: no flights from 10:00 to 12:00
• 24 and 25 November: no flights from 19:00 to 01:00 the following morning

The airport's daily operating window shrinks from about 20 hours to 12 hours on those days. Even so, it expects an average of about 210 flights a day over the festival, with a possible peak of 232. That means more flights packed into fewer hours, and the airport has warned of terminal congestion at peak times. It has asked passengers to check schedules with their airline in advance and to allow extra time for travel.

This happens every year. CNX Mag noted on 24 August 2026 that 161 flights were affected during the 2025 festival and that airlines notify travellers of changes directly. This year's confirmed numbers are now out.

Which golf trips does this affect?

Any itinerary with a flight into or out of Chiang Mai between 21 and 28 November. The courses are open as normal, but if your flight moves, your schedule moves with it.

Tight plans are the ones most at risk. If you land at 10:00 and have a 12:30 tee time booked, a rescheduled flight can wipe out that round. If you planned to leave on the evening of the 24th or 25th, your flight falls inside the restriction window and will have been cancelled or moved.

How should you reshape your itinerary?

Three changes cover most of the risk:

1. Leave a buffer day. Keep the day you land free of golf. If your flight shifts, you lose nothing.
2. Keep festival days simple. On 24 and 25 November, play one morning round and stay close to your hotel, rather than combining golf with a same-day flight.
3. Pick courses outside the city centre. Mae Jo Golf Club & Resort and Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort are both good choices for a quiet golf day away from the festival.

If you want to see the lanterns as well as play golf, a longer trip gives you room for both. The Culture & Golf package (5 nights, 3 rounds) spaces out its rounds, so a festival evening fits without squeezing your tee times. For a shorter stay that avoids the 24th and 25th, the Weekend Warrior package (3 nights, 3 rounds) fits the 21 to 23 or 26 to 28 November windows.

What does it mean for your bookings?

The airline changes do not affect green fees. The bigger issue is timing. If an airline moves you by a day, your hotel nights, transfers and tee times all have to move too. That is much easier to arrange weeks ahead than days ahead.

So confirm your final flight times first, then lock in your hotel, transfers and tee times together. CNX Mag reports that passenger numbers run about 17% above normal during the festival, which is another reason not to leave it late.

What should you do this week?

• Check your flight status directly with your airline, as the airport has asked.
• If your flight has been cancelled or moved, rebook it first, then change your golf and hotel dates to match.
• Confirm transfers for any arrival between 21 and 28 November.
• If you have not booked yet, choose arrival and departure times outside the restricted windows.

Is November still a good time for golf in Chiang Mai?

Yes. The flight restrictions cover two evenings and one late morning, not the whole month. Our Chiang Mai travel guide and course directory will help you match courses to your dates, and you'll find plans for every trip length on our Chiang Mai golf packages page.

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