It's early in the morning, and the park is filled with hot air balloons hurriedly trying to set up.  For each balloon, teams of people work together to attach the basket, test the burners, and roll out the balloon itself.

Then comes this.

The pilot pulls the levers to let the maximum amount of fuel to feed the burners.  Preparing for liftoff, and to fly in the sky.

The Thailand International Balloon Festival happens yearly in Chiang Mai around November.  You can read more about the festival here, and check out a photo essay my friend Dan shot of the same event over at Canvas of Light.

Shot November 25th, 2011