More than 810,000 krathongs were collected in Bangkok yesterday after they were placed on ponds and waterways to mark the Loy Krathong festival on Friday night.
Bangkok governor Assawin Kwanmuang yesterday said a total of 811,945 krathongs were found along various waterways, including the Chao Phraya River, as well as canals and ponds at 30 public parks across the city. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration workers wrapped up the cleaning at 5am yesterday.
Among the collected krathongs, 760,019 of them, or 93.6%, were made from biodegradable materials, while 51,926 others, or 6.4%, were made from polystyrene foam.
The number of krathong increased from last year by 150,010, or 22.7%. Similarly, the number of environmentally-friendly krathong rose by 0.3%.
The districts with the largest amount of krathongs collected were Lat Krabang, Klong Toey and Bang Khen, while the district with the least amount was Pomprap Sattruphai.
"Although the number of krathong is higher than that last year, the amount of biodegradable krathong has increased," Pol Gen Assawin said. "That means vendors and people care for the environment."
The collected krathong will be sorted for waste management purposes. Biodegradable krathong will be converted to organic fertiliser plants at a waste factory in Nong Khaem district, while the krathong made of polystyrene foam will be destroyed and buried at a landfill. Polystyrene garbage takes 1,000 years to biodegrade.
National police spokesman Wirachai Songmetta thanked the public for their cooperative behaviour at the festival. No racing was reported on the roads, according to security checkpoint officials nationwide.
No casualties due to fireworks or drowning were recorded this year. In 2015, more than 600 people were injured and 30 drowned during the festival.
Fireworks were absent on Friday night's celebration, despite reports of shop owners in Pomprap Sattruphai district being arrested for selling them.
As for drink-driving, police have yet to release a report on any cases of it.