Chiang mai: The Chiang Mai Municipality is currently under pressure following a series of controversies involving the Yi Peng Festival, particularly regarding the installation of upside-down lanterns and the use of budgetary funds.
According to Thai News Agency, the municipality has been criticized for several incidents, including the spray-painting of flowers and the painting over of traffic lines, both related to the Yi Peng Festival. The recent issues have prompted calls for an investigation into the budget allocation for events organized by the municipality, amid claims of irregularities and a lack of competitive bidding.
The municipality had earlier attempted to rectify the situation by removing the spray-painted flowers from the Nawarat Bridge area and repainting the traffic lines. However, these actions have sparked further debate and concerns over potential violations of the Traffic Act.
In addition, the installation of Yi Peng lanterns, referred to as “pin cha lin” in the local dialect, has also been a point of contention. Experts and locals have criticized the upside-down placement of these lanterns, attributing it to a lack of understanding of Lanna traditions by the designers and installers.
The issue gained further traction when members of the Prachachon Party raised concerns on social media about the municipality’s budget management. They highlighted the use of the same organizers for various events without open bidding and demanded a comprehensive investigation into the spending for events like the Yi Peng Festival. The ongoing scrutiny has led to increased public awareness and criticism of the municipality’s administrative practices.