New taipei: Two Taiwanese YouTubers have been fined NT$10,000 (US$333) for the unauthorized release of a sky lantern on railway tracks at Shifen Station, a popular tourist destination in New Taipei’s Pingxi District. This incident has sparked significant online debate and compelled local officials to promise enhanced oversight to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
According to Focus Taiwan, the YouTubers, known by their online monikers “Tsai Tai-tai and Tsai Sheng-sheng,” issued an apology through a video on their YouTube channel, explaining that vendors had directed them onto the tracks. They noted that many other visitors were also releasing lanterns at the same location and time. However, police officers later informed them that their actions were in violation of the Railway Act.
The Tourism Administration highlighted that releasing lanterns on railway tracks is legally concerning and has committed to increasing awareness efforts among tourists to discourage the practice. Article 57 of the Railway Act explicitly states that pedestrians and vehicles must not intrude onto railway routes, bridges, or areas within tunnels and stations that are not designated for public use.
The Railway Bureau is contemplating amendments to the Railway Act to balance tourism demands with safety requirements. It will continue to evaluate cases referred by the Railway Police before administering any penalties.
Releasing sky lanterns is a traditional custom where a paper lantern, often inscribed with wishes or prayers, is released to float skyward with the aid of a small internal flame. However, the New Taipei City government maintains that lanterns may only be released in designated areas as per the “New Taipei City Sky Lantern Release Management Regulations.” This includes the area between the Shifen Visitor Center in Pingxi District and Shigong Bridge, and within 200 meters of the Keelung River.
Furthermore, the city has imposed a ban on lantern releases between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Violators of this rule face fines up to NT$3,000 under the Fire Services Act. City officials have also proposed a “New Taipei City Sky Lantern Sustainable Development Ordinance,” which is pending approval by the Executive Yuan. This ordinance would require vendors to purchase certification stamps and pay a sustainable development fee.
