Bangkok: Bangkok’s collection of krathongs during the Loi Krathong Festival 2025 has decreased by 24% compared to the previous year, according to Mr. Ekwaranyu Amrapal, spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The Environment Department, Drainage Department, and all 50 district offices coordinated to collect the krathongs floated by the public at 110 locations throughout the city. This extensive collection effort started at 8:00 PM on November 5th and concluded by 5:00 AM on November 6th, 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, a total of 391,027 krathongs were collected. Of these, 323,626 were crafted from natural materials, making up 82.76% of the total. Meanwhile, 28,298 krathongs were made from foam, representing 7.23%, and 39,103 were made from bread, accounting for 10.01%. This year’s figures show a continued decline in the number of krathongs collected over the past two years, with 514,590 collected in 2024 and 639,828 in 2023, both featuring higher percentages of natural materials.
The online celebration of the festival attracted 23,347 participants, a decrease from 36,832 in 2024. The virtual event was held at 34 public parks and along the Chao Phraya River at ICONSIAM via the website greener.bangkok.go.th. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration implemented a detailed operational plan to prevent waste from remaining in water sources, with responsibilities divided among district offices, the Drainage Office, and the Environmental Office.
In the Chao Phraya River section from Rama VIII Bridge to Rama IX Bridge, Bangkok deployed 163 personnel, 28 garbage collection boats, 6 support boats, and 8 trucks to complete the collection process. Collected krathongs were transported to designated locations for sorting and proper disposal, with natural materials sent for organic fertilizer production and non-natural materials like foam properly buried.
For the 2025 festival, Bangkok, alongside government agencies and private sector partners, organized events at several locations, including the Bangkok Loi Krathong Festival at Rama 8 Bridge and the “Light, Water, and the Charm of Loi Krathong, Khlong Prem Prachakon” event at Wat Samian Nari. Additionally, 33 public parks and 110 other locations were opened for floating krathongs, with a campaign promoting the use of natural materials to mitigate environmental impact.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration expressed gratitude to the public for preserving the Loy Krathong tradition and contributing to environmental sustainability under the concept “Loy Krathong, Save the World, Float Together, One Family, One Krathong.” This initiative aims to reduce waste and enhance Bangkok’s livability in a sustainable manner.