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)
