The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is encouraging city residents to go “zero-foam” during this year’s Loy Krathong festival, urging participants to use biodegradable floats in an effort to protect the environment.
Worranut Suaykhakhao, deputy director of City Hall’s Environment Department, noted that despite calls for foam-free krathongs, last year around 20,877 of the 639,828 floats collected by BMA’s waste management units were made from foam. This year, the BMA is pushing for a significant reduction in foam-based floats and recommends that krathongs be made from 100% natural, biodegradable materials that will break down safely without harming the environment.
While floats made from bread will decompose naturally, they can increase the acidity of water as they break down, potentially harming aquatic life, especially in stagnant water. Last year, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage had to drain a fish pond in Suan Santiphap Park after residents released 6,800 bread krathongs, which polluted the water and caused the fish to die. It took the department four months to restore the pond to its original state.
The BMA is also urging krathong vendors to avoid using metals in the construction of the floats, as these materials must be sorted out before they can be disposed of properly.
For those wishing to participate in this year’s festivities, Deputy Bangkok Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon announced that BMA will designate 34 locations around the city for the public to enjoy the Loy Krathong celebrations. Additionally, those unable to attend in person can participate in an online event through [greener.bangkok.go.th], where they can play games to earn points that can be redeemed for prizes from the Environment Department. The digital event, which has won awards for its sustainability efforts, will be available at all 34 designated venues throughout the festival, which runs until Sunday.
