Volunteers on Tuesday collected lotus-shaped vessels, floated by celebrants of the Loy Krathong Festival yesterday to prevent the trash from reaching the sea. 

Acting abbot of the Chak Daeng temple cooperated with Phra Pradaeng district officials and environmental volunteers collected trash from the Chao Phraya River for the 7-km distance from Khlong Lat Mayom canal after krathongs (small vessels, decorated with flowers, joss sticks and candles) were floated by festival goers last night to pay respect to the Goddess of the water. 

The campaign is aimed to clean up remaining trash after a large number of krathongs were retrieved from the waterway by the authorities. The canal connects the Chao Phraya River estuary in Samut Prakan province.

The abbot said after the collected garbage will be sorted and recycled. Syrofoam will be modified into flower pots, artificial rock, brick floor while plastic waste will be converted into fuel and natural materials will be turned into compost.

The activity raises awareness on environmental conservation among people, he added.

Source: TNA