More than 800,000 Krathong collected from Chao Phraya River

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More than 800,000 Krathong collected from Chao Phraya River

 

 

BANGKOK, 23rd November 2018 (NNT)-People celebrated Loy Krathong Festival in many areas of Bangkok on Thursday. 

At Icon Siam, many people wore traditional Thai clothes to celebrate the special occasion. Most of them brought environmentally-friendly Krathong baskets to float on the Chao Phraya River. One of the attractions at the newly opened department store was a huge digital Krathong projected on the 6.5-meter-tall LED screen. 

In Samphantawong district, a traditional Loy Krathong festival was held to mark the recent recognition of the district as a new ecotourism spot in Bangkok. 

Noppamas and Krathong beauty contests were also held during the festival. A 250-meter-long canal was turned into a venue for people to release their krathong baskets. 

At the Public Relations Department (PRD), people living within the vicinity visited the PRD’s compound in the evening to celebrate the occasion. 

At Rama 8 Bridge, large crowds celebrated the festival at the park by the bridge. Visitors enjoyed traditional performances and a variety of goods for sale. 

At Saphanphut Pier, people from all walks of life came to release their floating krathong onto the river. Many of them used baskets that were made of natural materials to protect the environment. 

To keep the Chao Phraya River clean, the Environment Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration deployed 213 officers along the river to collect Krathong baskets last night. 

The clean-up operation lasted nearly seven hours. They collected more than 800,000 krathong, 80% of them made of natural items. It was also found that the number of foam bases declined this year.

 

-- nnt 2018-11-23

[Crossy]

It's sad that so many are still floating plastic / foam kratongs ????

 

We had a bread kratong kindly given free by the Don Mueang Tollway (last toll, north bound at about 4.30 PM), pretty ladies in traditional garb handing them to all users. Very simple looking but Madam stuck a few birthday candles in it and it did the job. Hopefully some fish got a snack out of it.

 

 

 

 

[hotchilli]

The rest will be collected in Alaska next year & sent back !!!!

Thailand doing it's bit for anti-pollution measures..

[HHTel]

And the coins?  800,000 with just 1 baht (normally more) is a lot of money.

[Classic Ray]

Maybe time to do what the West has done with firework displays and discourage individual Kratongs by organising a display of one large kratong into which people could put donations for chsrity before it was floated into the river and set alight (after removing the donations). One large lantern could also be launched like they do with rocket displays which would save all the flights being cancelled. 

 

I will wake up now.

[HHTel]

29 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

Maybe time to do what the West has done with firework displays and discourage individual Kratongs by organising a display of one large kratong into which people could put donations for chsrity before it was floated into the river and set alight (after removing the donations). One large lantern could also be launched like they do with rocket displays which would save all the flights being cancelled. 

 

I will wake up now.

A krathong is a personal tribute and can mean different things to different people.  Incorporating it into a 'mass worship krathong' would not fit in with their beliefs.  It's a religious ceremony with it's roots in the Lord Buddha in India.  Hardly comparable with a fireworks display!

[jak2002003]

14 minutes ago, HHTel said:

A krathong is a personal tribute and can mean different things to different people.  Incorporating it into a 'mass worship krathong' would not fit in with their beliefs.  It's a religious ceremony with it's roots in the Lord Buddha in India.  Hardly comparable with a fireworks display!

Don't think its got anything to do with Buddha.  It is animist thing to do with the river goddess or spirit.  However, just like the Buddhism here, its so mixed up with animist beliefs and other religion that it's probably totally lost it's original meaning over time.  

[HHTel]

Quote

According to King Rama IV, writing in 1863, it was a Brahmanical festival that was adapted by Thai Buddhists in Thailand to honor the Buddha, Prince Siddhartha Gautama. The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the krathong's floating symbolizes letting go of all one's hatred, anger, and defilements. People sometimes cut their fingernails or hair and place the clippings on the krathong as a symbol of letting go of past transgressions and negative thoughts. Many Thais use the krathong to thank the Goddess of Water, the Hindu Goddess Ganga, Phra Mae Khongkha (Thai: พระแม่คงคา).

But as you say, buddhism in Thailand is often lost.

[Billy Bloggs]

As to money on Krathongs, two years ago while in Chiang Mai I was watching the boys in the water launching them for people from the steps, I had a good view from the bridge and any money on board the krathong was pocketed before launch a nice little earner as quite a few had a few notes.