Warunya Thongrod
Pattaya officials say a city campaign to push people to use more natural
materials in the Loy Krathong floats has been successful and hope this year’s
holiday will see another decrease in foam use.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon
has been leading the city’s crusade to phase out Styrofoam krathongs.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon said that,
traditionally, floating krathongs have been made from banana, pandan and other
leaves but that, in recent years, natural ingredients have given way to
Styrofoam and plastic. Each holiday, hundreds of the artificial floats end up
polluting area beaches and coral reefs, killing sea turtles and other animals
that try to eat them.
Pattaya City Hall began several years ago campaigning for the public to avoid
foam, using posters and leaflets, as well as media briefings. City officials
said the progress has been evident.
“There are still foam krathongs mixed with natural ones, but the number of them
has decreased considerably,” said Sunya Thupthimsri from the city’s Sanitation
Department, which must clean up after every holiday. “It’s evident people have
cooperated well due to Pattaya’s campaigning and advertising.”
Sunya said trash collectors picked up nearly two tons of krathongs from Pattaya
Beach last year, with tides taking them south to the beach at the Siam Bayshore
Hotel & Spa. Cleanup each year takes about three days.
