Thailand's Yi Peng Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, was celebrated on Monday with swarms of lanterns floating up to the sky in Chiang Mai, one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the country.

The annual festival takes place on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai calendar, which usually falls in November. It marks a time of year when all of Chiang Mai is buzzing with a festive atmosphere.

People gather and release lanterns into the sky, wishing that the floating lights will take away any bad luck.

The lanterns are called khom loi in the Thai language, meaning "floating lanterns." They are made of rice paper, stretched over a bamboo frame with a candle attached. Hot air from the candle makes the lantern rise.

Some regions were asked not to release hot air balloons, floating lanterns or fireworks near airports to ensure aircraft safety. This year, around 160 flights were either cancelled or rescheduled due to the festival, according to the Airport of Thailand.