Bangkok Collects Over 391,000 Krathongs After Loy Krathong Festival, 80 Pct Natural

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, Nov 6 (Bernama) — Signs of rising public support towards environmentally friendly celebrations were evident from the 391,000 krathongs collected from the city’s rivers and canals following Wednesday’s Loy Krathong Festival. Over 80 per cent of them were made from natural materials, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), 

In a statement, BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala said the krathongs collected this year consisted of more than 82.76 per cent natural materials, although the number of krathongs decreased by about 24 per cent compared to last year. 

“A total of 391,027 krathongs were collected, down 24 per cent from the previous year (514,590 krathongs). Of these, 323,626 krathongs (82.76 per cent) this year were made from natural materials, 28,298 (7.23 per cent) from foam, and 39,103 (10.01 per cent) from bread,” he said.

Krathongs are small floating baskets decorated with flowers, candles, and incense sticks, and used as religious offerings.

Aekvarunyoo said the Environment and the Drainage and Sewerage Departments, along with all 50 district offices, carried out the collection at 110 locations across the capital from 8 pm on Wednesday until 5 am on Thursday.

He explained that the BMA carried out the collection according to its operational plan to ensure no waste was left in the city’s waterways.

“Krathongs collected from the Chao Phraya River were brought ashore at Ong Ang Canal in Phra Nakhon District and at the Ministry of Commerce’s warehouse pier in Rat Burana District for material sorting.

“Krathongs made from natural materials were shredded and sent to the Nong Khaem organic fertiliser plant, while those made from other materials, such as foam, were properly disposed of in landfills,” he said.

He added that krathongs collected from other areas were sent to the BMA’s three solid waste transfer stations – On Nut, Sai Mai, and Nong Khaem – for proper hygienic disposal.

Aekvarunyoo also expressed BMA’s appreciation to residents for choosing eco-friendly krathongs this year.

Loy Krathong, which falls on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, sees thousands of krathongs floated on waterways as offerings to Phra Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of Water, to express gratitude and symbolise the release of misfortune.

— BERNAMA

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