Do you guys remember the whole Sky Lantern fiasco that happened earlier this year?
(Of course you did, it only took place last month.)
The last we heard, attendees who were left disappointed and angry due to the event’s failure to deliver promised attractions, were unable to get a refund for their ticket if they had collected their sky lanterns and LED lights at the site.
Instead, their ticket would be valid for a rescheduled event held around the first week of April, claimed the director of the event’s organiser, Shiermie Baustista.
Well, we are now at the last few days of March 2024, what are the latest updates?
Attendees Can Now Claim Refunds
Fortunately for attendees, the Sky Lantern Festival now offers full refunds to all participants who file a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) by 31 March 2024.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 27 March, CASE president Melvin Yong revealed that an agreement had been reached between the association and the festival’s organiser, Asian Couture and Boutique.
According to the agreement, all consumers who register their complaints with CASE before 11:59PM on 31 March will receive complete monetary reimbursements.
Yong noted that 68 consumers have already lodged reports with CASE, highlighting the extent of the festival’s fallout.
Before its cancellation, the main attraction of the event, held at Palawan Green, Sentosa, was promoted as a stunning night sky adorned with countless tethered lanterns, promising a picturesque scene for avid Instagram or TikTok users.
However, attendees who had purchased tickets for S$50 each (excluding booking fees) were sorely disappointed when they were handed LED candles and instructed to fasten their lanterns along the event barricades.
It was revealed by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the following day that the organiser had failed to obtain the necessary licences over safety requirements in order to proceed with the main event.
To add insult to injury, there were also reports that the music performances and food and beverage services did not meet expectations.
Initially, Asian Couture and Boutique director Shiermie Bautista stated in the now deleted Facebook post in March that no full refunds would be issued.
She also said that they have “decided to reschedule the release (of the lanterns) to another day instead, as it might cause a stampede”.
Bautista pointed out that despite the disappointment, other segments of the program, such as the music festival, proceeded as planned, and many participants still attended.
However, following active representation of complainants and engagement with the event organiser by CASE, an agreement for full refunds was reached.
“I am delighted that CASE and Asian Couture and Boutique have reached an agreement to provide full refunds to affected consumers,” said Mr Yong.
“We will continue to protect consumers’ interests and work closely with businesses to achieve the best possible outcome.”
Additionally, CASE waived fees for affected consumers to facilitate more complaints.
Yong reaffirmed CASE’s commitment to protecting consumers’ interests and working closely with businesses to achieve satisfactory outcomes.
As for the so-called “rescheduled” event, neither Ms Bautista nor Asian Couture and Boutique have stepped out to formally confirm or deny their plans.
In fact, according to Google, the organiser, Asian Couture and Boutique, is listed as “permanently closed.”
The most recent post on Asian Couture and Boutique’s Facebook page dates back to 8 April 2022. However, comments on this post, particularly those related to the lantern event, are as recent as 8 March of this year.
I guess that says a lot in itself.
On the bright side, girl math logic dictates that refundees will now have extra S$50 to spend on a trip to Taiwan, where they can properly live out their sky lantern fantasy.