Each year thousands of people make their way to Patong Beach to float their krathong, as offerings to the goddess of water asking for forgiveness and to cast adrift any impending bad luck.
However, each year the tide eventually pushes the krathong back onto the beach, leaving discarded kathong and their adornments strewn along the beach, with council workers the next day left to clean up tonnes of debris along the sand.
This year, as with last year, Patong Municipality and Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri are especially urging people to be conscious of their actions and to float their krathong in a long water feature temporarily installed at Patong Beach for the occasion.
“The initiative allows locals and tourists to enjoy the annual festival while preserving the environment and protecting marine life,” Patong Municipality explained in an announcement, promoting the man-made ‘pond’ as ‘eco-friendly’.
Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri announced the new setup, explaining that the pond, located at the beach end of Soi Bangla, has been expanded to accommodate the expected high turnout.
This year, the pond measures 120 metres in length and six metres in width, doubling the size from last year.
Officers will monitor the pond and periodically remove krathong to prevent overcrowding; last year, approximately seven tonnes of krathong were floated by festival-goers.
To further protect the coastal environment, Patong Municipality has requested that pontoons near Coral Beach Bridge temporarily close, ensuring that no krathong are secretly floated into the sea.
The municipality has also set up a festive venue with a traditional Thai ambience, inviting participants to celebrate responsibly by forgoing fireworks and floating lanterns, which can pose environmental hazards.
The Loy Krathong festivities at Patong officially begin at 6pm. Visitors are encouraged to wear traditional Thai outfits as they take part in the festivities.