Don: Stick with traditional material for Loy Krathong

KOTA BARU: Using floats made of polystyrene foam or other non-biodegradable material defeats the purpose of celebrating the Thai festival of Loy Krathong, said Kelantan Siamese Association president Assoc Prof Pim Chau Dam.

He said Loy Krathong is a festival in appreciation of water, the source of life.

“It defeats the purpose if we pollute the waterways with non-biodegradable floats,” he said.

Prof Pim said the word Loy meant “to float” while Krathong referred to the lotus-shaped vessel that is traditionally made from banana leaves.

“But nowadays, to make it easier, people tend to use foam or other non-biodegradable materials without realising that they are con- tributing to pollution.

“This celebration is to show appreciation for being endowed with water to grow our food and sustain life, and we can’t live without it,” he said.

Loy Krathong, which is celebrated on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai Lunar calendar, falls on Nov 3 this year.

Prof Pim also explained that Loy Krathong and the other water festival, Songkran, are celebrated months apart and for different purposes.

“Loy Krathong is a thanksgiving ceremony for being blessed with water, while Songkran is a celebration of the Thai Lunar New Year,” he said.

The next Songkran celebration will be in April. A grand Loy Krathong celebration will be held at the Standing Buddha temple in Tumpat on Nov 3.