Following Bangkok’s captivating Loy Krathong Festival, a thorough cleanup effort was undertaken to remove some 640,000 Krathongs from the city’s labyrinthine canals. The traditional floating marvels were carefully made by hand using natural, biodegradable materials. They contributed an eco-friendly element to the landscape after the celebration, reflecting a dedication to environmental sustainability.
At 8 pm during the festival, the diligent employees of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) immediately began their task of gathering and arranging the Krathongs till the early hours of the next day. This dedicated endeavor demonstrated an enduring commitment to conserving the city’s waterways. As to the official tally announced by BMA spokesperson Ekwaranyu Amrapan, the Krathong count stands at an impressive 639,828. This was a significant surge of 67,226, resulting in a remarkable 11.74% escalation in comparison to the preceding year.
Notably, an impressive aspect of this underwater scene is the admirable transition towards sustainability, as an astonishing 96.7% of the Krathongs gathered are made from eco-friendly materials. The eco-conscious show featured banana tree trunks, banana leaves, cassava, cane bagasse, and bread, representing a small increase over the previous year’s 95.7%. On the other hand, the utilization of styrofoam, which is a less environmentally friendly substance, declined to 3.26%, indicating a favorable improvement from the 4.30% documented in the previous year.
Klong Sam Wa, located in the many districts of Bangkok, stands out as the frontrunner with an impressive total of 31,575 floats, out of which an astounding 31,560 are made from natural materials. Pomprap Sattruphai had the lowest number of Krathongs, with only 160. In contrast, Bung Kum district had the largest count of foam-based Krathongs, reaching 1,579.
The festival, a cultural extravaganza that attracted a grand total of 290,886 people to 34 public parks, demonstrated the lasting appeal of this beloved event. A total of 88,011 Krathongs were collected from the popular parks of Benjasiri, Lumpini, and Benjakitti, which are frequently visited. This collection of Krathongs is a continuation of the vibrant festival heritage.
All Krathongs gathered after the cleanup process will be taken to waste disposal facilities to prevent any environmental impact caused by the remains of this captivating celebration.
The BMA staged a unique event at Klong Ong Ang, where 3,774 digital Krathongs were projected onto the water utilizing projection mapping, adding a revolutionary and inventive element to the festivities. The innovative and unique event fascinated spectators as they admired the digital floats elegantly decorating the Klong Ong Ang, skillfully combining traditional elements with new technology in a widely celebrated occasion.