A marine and environmental expert has emphasised three crucial factors for floating krathongs  the Loy Krathong festival on November 27, namely the materials used, the quantity and the area in which the krathong will be launched.

 

Professor Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat said foam-based krathongs are strongly discouraged, due to polystyrene’s adverse environmental impacts.

 

“It is imperative to distinguish whether the krathong is made from purely natural materials or includes artificial elements, like pins and plastics, which can pose risks to both people and animals in the rivers or seas,” he said in an interview.

 

For open water areas, like rivers and canals, environmentally-friendly krathong, including those made from ice cream cones or fish food, are considered suitable, said Thon.

 

Top picture: Salapao Krathong

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-11-25

 

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A couple of years back Don Mueang Tollway were giving away bread kratongs at the outbound Rangsit toll booth.

They were like concrete, any fish that tried to eat them would lose their teeth

 

Madam makes ours from banana trunk and other stuff from the garden, held together with cocktail sticks, the only non-biodegradable bit would be the cake candle.

 

Village stalls sell similar items for those who can't be bothered. The village boss insists on no plastic/polystyrene etc.

 

Loy Kaboom . Sooner it goe away the better , from grumpy falang.

7 minutes ago, toofarnorth said:

Loy Kaboom . Sooner it goe away the better , from grumpy falang.

It's probably the most delightful of all the festivals. Ice cream cone kratongs and sparing on the lanterns it's fine.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A marine and environmental expert has emphasised three crucial factors for floating krathongs  the Loy Krathong festival on November 27, namely the materials used, the quantity and the area in which the krathong will be launched.

Of course all those eco-friendly lanterns that float up into the night sky... must come down somewhere?