Over half a million krathongs float down Bangkok’s waterways for festival
As many as 572,602 krathongs were floated on Bangkok’s myriad canals for Loy Krathong this year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported on Wednesday.
“Citing data by the Environment Department, the number of krathongs floated on Bangkok canals this year increased by 42 per cent compared to 403,205 last year,” said BMA spokesperson Aekwaranyoo Amrapal.
He explained that almost all – 548,086 krathongs – this year were made of natural materials, while 24,516 were made of foam.
“However, the number of krathongs made from natural materials saw a slight drop – 95.7% – compared to 96.5% last year, while those made of foam rose 4.3% when compared to 3.5% last year,” he said.
Most Bangkokians floated their krathongs in Khlong Toei district – 27,776 – while Pom Prap Sattru Phai district saw the least – 122.
“As many as 1,140 krathongs made of foam were found in Prawet district,” he said.
Seven Bangkok districts – Lak Si, Din Daeng, Bang Rak, Sathorn, Chomthong, Bangkok Yai and Thawi Watthana – saw krathongs made only of natural materials.
This year’s Loy Krathong Festival fell on Tuesday (November 8). Dubbed Thailand’s festival of lights, the festival is marked by people releasing small, decorated floats called krathong to honour the water goddess on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month.
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