Bangkok urges ‘zero-foam’ floats for eco-friendly Loy Krathong festival
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is calling on residents to adopt a zero-foam approach for this year’s Loy Krathong festival, encouraging the use of biodegradable floats to safeguard the environment. The push comes after last year’s festival saw over 20,000 of the 639,828 floats collected made from foam, despite previous environmental appeals.
Worranut Suaykhakhao, Deputy Director of the Environment Department at City Hall, emphasised the importance of using floats made entirely from natural and biodegradable materials. Such materials, she explained, will not harm the environment as they decompose.
While bread floats offer a biodegradable alternative, they pose a risk of increasing water acidity as they break down, potentially endangering aquatic life, particularly in stagnant water bodies. Worranut highlighted a case from last year when the Department of Drainage and Sewerage had to drain a fish pond in Suan Santiphap Park due to pollution caused by 6,800 bread krathong. The situation resulted in the death of fish and took four months for the pond to be restored to its original condition.
The department is also advising Krathong vendors against the use of metals in floats. Metals complicate the disposal process as they need to be removed before the floats can be appropriately discarded.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon announced that 34 venues will be available for the public to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival this year. For those unable to participate in person, an online alternative is available through [greener.bangkok.go.th], allowing participants to engage in games and earn points for prizes from the Environment Department, reported Bangkok Post.
“The award-winning digital event can also be enjoyed at 34 venues around the capital until November 17.”
In related news, Suvarnabhumi Airport issued a strong warning to the public, urging them to avoid flying lanterns or balloons, setting off fireworks, or using lasers in the vicinity of the airport on November 15 during the Loy Krathong festival.
