Bangkok (VNA) - Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is asking city residents to go "zero-foam" for this year's Loy Krathong festival, urging those who want to take part in the event to look for biodegradable floats to help protect the environment.
Deputy Director of City Hall's Environment Department Worranut Suaykhakhao said despite pleas to go foam-free, about 20,877 out of the 639,828 floats collected by BMA's waste collection units after last year's Loy Krathong festival were made from foam.
This year, BMA wants to see fewer floats made out of foam, she said, adding the krathong used should be made from 100% natural, biodegradable materials that wouldn't harm the environment as they break down.
Worranut said that last year, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage had to drain the fish pond in Suan Santiphap Park where residents released 6,800 bread krathong as the decomposing floats polluted the water, killing off the fish. It took the department four months to bring the pond back to its original state.
The department is also urging krathong vendors to refrain from using metals in the floats, as these have to be sorted out before the floats can be properly disposed.
Loy Krathong is a cherished Thai tradition in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of water./.
