The public is being urged to go |eco-friendly this Loy Krathong after waterways foamed over last year

A krathong made of foam takes more than 50 years to decay, says the National Science and Technology Development Agency.

Years of campaigners' calling attention to the harm that foam floats do to the environment at Loy Krathong are finally being heard - or so it seems. People all over Thailand are celebrating this year with krathong made of natural materials.

One Krathong, One Family

To reduce the staggering amount of garbage created, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with help from local authorities is promoting a "One Krathong, One Family" idea.

Families, groups of friends and lovers are being urged to pile all their blessings into a single float made of natural materials, rather than clogging up the rivers and canals with a separate krathong for each individual.

Bangkok strangled

"A report last year by the Pollution Control Department shows the quality of Chao Phya River water is still deteriorating," says minister Anongwan Thepsuthin. "So I would like people to float natural krathong and help reduce their number."

Bangkok's waterways were choked with more than a million krathong last year - 182,322 made of foam, 853,618 made of natural materials and 59,439 of other materials.

The environmental awareness for this year's festival is also spreading upcountry, helped by traditions in places like Chiang Rai, where coconut shells are used to make krathong.

For Bangkokians, 20 public parks will be opened specially from 3pm to midnight on November 12 for people to float their krathong. They include Santichaiprakarn, Lumpini, Cha-tuchak, Saranrom, Wachiraben-chatat, Phranakhon, Rommani-nat, Thonburirom, Serithai and Nongchok.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin has called on revellers not to bring alcoholic drinks to the parks and to respect the environment by floating biodegradable krathong.