BANGKOK, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday reminded all Thais celebrating the Loy Krathong festival Monday nigh of the need to protect the environment by using floats aka krathong, made from only bio-degradable or environment-friendly materials.
"We are stepping toward transiting from plastics to environmentally friendly materials. Shopping malls from January next year will cease giving out single-use plastics," said Prayut. "This is your opportunity to show your effort in transiting into a cleaner Thailand, so please use only bio-degradable krathongs (floats) tonight while you celebrate Loy Krathong Festival."
In a nationwide campaign to eliminate single-use plastics and styrofoam nationwide, stores sell floats for Loy Krathong include banana trunks, banana leaves, various kinds of flowers as well as joss sticks and candles.
Many stores also sell ready-made from bread, palm leaves, corn leaves, water Hyacinth and fish food.
"Let's make this year a 100 percent styrofoam-free Loy Krathong festival record, with the smallest amount of waste from Krathong floats," said Prayut.
The Loy Krathong festival is celebrated across the country, with people flocking to natural waterways, inland lakes and parks to float their krathongs in a symbolic act of casting off bad luck.
The joyful event also features krathong competitions and Miss Loy Krathong beauty contests.
In Bangkok, the City Hall will open its 30 parks to allow the public to float their krathongs.
About 200 city workers are standing by to collect the krathongs from canals, the main Cha Phraya River and lakes in public parks, starting at 8 p.m. local time.
