Most Thais Will Celebrate Loy Krathong in More Environmentally-Friendly Way: Poll

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) – Most respondents of a survey, conducted by Bangkok University said they would go to float krathongs (banana leaf basket) during the traditional Loy Krathong Festival today and opted for krathongs, made of environmentally- friendly materials. The survey on the safe and environmentally-friendly Loy Krathong festival was conducted by Bangkok Poll among 1,213 people across the country. Asked if they would go out to celebrate the event at designated venues, most of the respondents or 43.2 per cent said they would go with their family to launch only one krathong together instead of one person each to reduce trash in canals. On the other hand, 37.4 per cent said they would not join the celebration, reasoning that they were busy as it falls on a weekday and they did not like crowded places. As various types of materials used to make krathongs, most respondents or 49.4 per cent said they would make their own krathong from natural materials and 47 per cent said they would buy krathongs made of natural biodegradable and environmentally-friendly materials. Regarding an idea to celebrate the traditional festival by refraining from floating krathongs but collecting trash from rivers and canals instead, most of the respondents or 63.9 per cent disagreed with the idea. Out of those who were against it, 51.3 per cent of them said it was the Thai tradition, which should be conserved. Meanwhile, about 36.1 per cent of respondents supported avoid launching krathongs. Out of all, 20.3 per cent said that doing so would not generate trash in rivers and canals and 2 per cent said launching krathongs online can be done through websites and applications. For safe celebration, most people or 31.7 per cent said they wanted to see festival goers refrain from drinking alcohol to prevent alcohol-related accidents. The annual Loy Krathong Festival falls on the night of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. Thai people float krathongs (small lotus-shaped vessels, decorated with flowers, incense sticks and candles) on rivers and canals to pay respects to the goddess of water. (TNA)