Bangkok: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has introduced an initiative to transform old water guns into new products by setting up collection points in key areas such as Silom, Khao San Road, and Benjakitti Park.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pornprom Wikitseth, Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok and Head of Sustainability for Bangkok, announced that for the 2026 Songkran Festival, the city is encouraging the public to reduce plastic waste from water guns. They plan to collect all types of plastic water guns, regardless of their condition, and recycle them into naphtha, a raw material used to produce plastic pellets. These pellets will then be molded into new products like chairs, containers, plant pots, clothing fibers, and various plastic components. SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited is supporting this initiative.

Bangkok will place collection racks for water guns in the main areas that host the Songkran Festival 2026: Silom Road in Bang Rak District, Khao San Road in Phra Nakhon District, and the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2026 at Benjakitti Park in Khlong Toei District. This marks the first time water guns will be recycled in this manner, as they previously ended up as general waste.

During the 2025 Songkran festival in Bangkok, significant amounts of waste were generated: Khao San Road (3 days) saw 141.4 tons of waste, Sanam Luang (Maha Songkran Festival) (5 days) generated 34.6 tons, and Silom Road (3 days) produced 74.5 tons.