Loy Krathong, the festival of light, color and … garbage

[webfact]

 

The environmental damage done by one of Thailand’s most colorful festivals, Loy Krathong, has grown so high that many netizens want people to stop floating their krathong in natural waterways. Millions of the floats, often made from plastic foam and other nonbiodegradable materials, are floated on the day of the festival each year.   

  

“Floating krathong on the sea, canals or rivers will only kill them [the waterways],” says Monsoongarbage Thailand, a Facebook page that addresses environmental issues.

 

This post has won support from many Thais, who say they have long stopped floating their krathong or decorative floats in waterways while continuing marking the festival in other ways.

This year, Loy Krathong day will fall on November 27.

 

Centuries-old festivities

 

Traditionally celebrated on the full-moon night of the 12th month of the lunar Thai calendar, the Loy Krathong Festival is thought to have emerged eight centuries ago in the Sukhothai period. Ever since then, Thais have been floating krathong in waterways across Thailand to thank the river goddess.

 

File photo : Loy Krathong festival

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-11-13

 

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[Baht Simpson]

We use Kratongs made of ice cream cones. Much more bio-degradable. 

Edited November 13, 2023 by Baht Simpson

[rwill]

I see more of the krathong being made from natural products the last few years.  Like slices of a banana stem for the body.