Khoom Fay (Fire lanterns)

'Khoom Fay' Fire lanterns
	Khoom Fay are traditional Thai hot air lanterns, made from thin tissue paper and bamboo. The hot air is provided by a burning paper wick soaked in lamp oil. They ascend gracefully, and are an amazing sight, especially when released at regular intervals to form a chain of lights rising into the sky. They are equally good by day or by night. The new elephant balloon is highly recommended, and never fails to amuse and amaze people! NOTE (Dec 2002): These lanterns are getting too expensive! Plus so many are damaged in transit, that we don't hold them in stock any more. Sorry, but they are now only available to special order, with a minimum order quantity of 100 units. Packaging: Preferred pack of 25 units in a sealed fibreboard outer. Colours available: Red, green, white, yellow, or mixtures of these colours to order. Logo printing available at extra cost. Shapes available: Standard cylinder and 'Montgolfier' shapes ex-stock. Now also available, to order only, are giant ELEPHANTS and LIZARDS.
Trade price: (Pounds Sterling) Standard types £10.00 each, elephant or lizard £32 each. Please enquire for quantity price (100+ or 1000+), dispatched direct from Thailand. Price is subject to variation due to the currency crisis in Thailand. Stock level: See above Control Status: Not controlled. May be sent by air mail worldwide. Mail order welcome.
Instructions for use
Preparation Carefully unpack the Khoom Fay, without tearing the delicate paper. Soak one annular paper wick in lamp oil, obtainable from most hardware shops or candle and oil lamp retailers. Squeeze out any excess oil (gloves recommended), then attach the wick centrally below the lantern, by twisting the two wire tags onto the cross wires at the base. Launching Ensure the lantern is fully extended, and not creased or hanging sideways. This is best done by holding the top of the lantern, gently lifting it a couple of feet, then dropping it sharply. Air pressure will inflate the unit. Hold the lantern upright, and have a helper light the wick. After a few seconds the lantern will feel lighter, then gradually rise. Do not attempt to throw it up into the air - just guide it and let it go by itself. Then stand back and enjoy. Safety These articles are intended for use by experienced fireworks operators. Wear gloves and fire-proof clothing, and have a bucket of water handy. Be careful, and avoid pouring lamp oil everywhere. Never use near airports, roads, dry standing crops, or in places where they may be misinterpreted as a distress signal. Remember that each lantern is quite large, is a potential fire hazard, and has to land somewhere. It is the responsibility of the firer to use the product safely. Notes Khoom fay tend to right themselves automatically as they ascend. Despite the alarming-looking flames from the wick, they only very rarely catch fire. Tethering the lanterns is not recommended. Whilst this may work in very still conditions, the tether often prevents the unit from remaining upright as the wind blows, causing the casing to ignite. If you wish, the wicks may be pre-prepared, by soaking in a 50:50 mixture of lamp oil and molten candle grease. The wicks are then individually wrapped in plastic food wrap, and kept in an airtight box to prevent their drying out. If you can find where your Khoom fay land, they can very often be re-used.

'Khoom Fay' Fire lanterns

'Lizard' balloon - known to the Thais as the 'Jing Jok'

Khoom Fay are traditional Thai hot air lanterns, made from thin tissue paper and bamboo. The hot air is provided by a burning paper wick soaked in lamp oil.

They ascend gracefully, and are an amazing sight, especially when released at regular intervals to form a chain of lights rising into the sky. They are equally good by day or by night.

The new elephant balloon is highly recommended, and never fails to amuse and amaze people!

NOTE (Dec 2002): These lanterns are getting too expensive! Plus so many are damaged in transit, that we don't hold them in stock any more. Sorry, but they are now only available to special order, with a minimum order quantity of 100 units.

Packaging: Preferred pack of 25 units in a sealed fibreboard outer.

Colours available: Red, green, white, yellow, or mixtures of these colours to order. Logo printing available at extra cost.

Shapes available: Standard cylinder and 'Montgolfier' shapes ex-stock. Now also available, to order only, are giant ELEPHANTS and LIZARDS.

Elephant balloon: An amazing sight in the sky - highly recommended!

Trade price: (Pounds Sterling) Standard types £10.00 each, elephant or lizard £32 each. Please enquire for quantity price (100+ or 1000+), dispatched direct from Thailand. Price is subject to variation due to the currency crisis in Thailand.

Stock level: See above

Control Status: Not controlled. May be sent by air mail worldwide. Mail order welcome.

Instructions for use

Preparation Flying tortoise/lizard. Not something you see every day :)

Carefully unpack the Khoom Fay, without tearing the delicate paper. Soak one annular paper wick in lamp oil, obtainable from most hardware shops or candle and oil lamp retailers. Squeeze out any excess oil (gloves recommended), then attach the wick centrally below the lantern, by twisting the two wire tags onto the cross wires at the base.

Launching
Ensure the lantern is fully extended, and not creased or hanging sideways. This is best done by holding the top of the lantern, gently lifting it a couple of feet, then dropping it sharply. Air pressure will inflate the unit.

Hold the lantern upright, and have a helper light the wick. After a few seconds the lantern will feel lighter, then gradually rise. Do not attempt to throw it up into the air - just guide it and let it go by itself. Then stand back and enjoy.

Safety
These articles are intended for use by experienced fireworks operators. Wear gloves and fire-proof clothing, and have a bucket of water handy. Be careful, and avoid pouring lamp oil everywhere.

Never use near airports, roads, dry standing crops, or in places where they may be misinterpreted as a distress signal. Remember that each lantern is quite large, is a potential fire hazard, and has to land somewhere. It is the responsibility of the firer to use the product safely.

Notes
Khoom fay tend to right themselves automatically as they ascend. Despite the alarming-looking flames from the wick, they only very rarely catch fire.

Tethering the lanterns is not recommended. Whilst this may work in very still conditions, the tether often prevents the unit from remaining upright as the wind blows, causing the casing to ignite.

If you wish, the wicks may be pre-prepared, by soaking in a 50:50 mixture of lamp oil and molten candle grease. The wicks are then individually wrapped in plastic food wrap, and kept in an airtight box to prevent their drying out.

If you can find where your Khoom fay land, they can very often be re-used.