Bangkok governor bans foam for Loy Kratong

BANGKOK: -- First of all there was the famous ban on the use of traditional banana leaves, and then there were injunctions to use bread. But this year for the Loy Kratong Festival the message from the Bangkok governor is clear: all 'kratong' made from polystyrene foam will be banned from public parks.

The Bangkok Governor, Apirak Kosayothin, says that this year for the Loy Kratong Festival - the traditional festival of lights, or the 'full moon festival - in which 'kratong' baskets containing candles and incense are floated on lakes and rivers - the emphasis will be on encouraging the public to use natural materials to make the 'kratong'.

This contrasts strongly with the policies of former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, who memorably encouraged the use of polystyrene 'kratong', despite protests from environmental groups.

Mr. Apirak said that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) would enforce a strict ban on the use of fireworks and firecrackers during the festival, which this year falls on 26 November.

"This year the BMA has been planning for Loy Kratong for some time. In a month left to go, we will campaign to encourage the public to celebrate, while conserving the environment by not using foam kratong", he said, adding that foam 'kratong' would be banned from public parks,14 of which would be open for the public to celebrate.

BMA statistics suggest that 203,200 'kratong' were floated in the capital last year, of which 78,550 were made from natural materials and 124,650 from polystyrene.

---TNA 2004-10-19

Bangkok governor bans foam for Loy Kratong

BANGKOK: -- First of all there was the famous ban on the use of traditional banana leaves, and then there were injunctions to use bread. But this year for the Loy Kratong Festival the message from the Bangkok governor is clear: all 'kratong' made from polystyrene foam will be banned from public parks....This contrasts strongly with the policies of former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, who memorably encouraged the use of polystyrene 'kratong', despite protests from environmental groups....

..."In a month left to go, we will campaign to encourage the public to celebrate, while conserving the environment by not using foam kratong", he said,...

I can understand the ban on polystyrene - although - the "Poly-Kratongs" could be used again next year - not the banana leaves...

Don't they have any banana trees up there? their trunks are a perfect floating device...