Loy Krathong, the festival of light, color and … garbage

19 Sept 19:01 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Loy Krathong festival faces increasing criticism for its significant environmental damage, as millions of krathongs, often made from non-biodegradable materials, pollute natural waterways.
While traditionally made from natural materials, modern Loy Krathong sees a surge in environmentally harmful floats, leading to massive post-festival clean-up efforts and concerns over pollution.
Beyond krathongs, the festival's fireworks and sky lanterns pose additional environmental and safety risks, prompting calls for more responsible celebration methods.
Environmentalists propose eco-friendly alternatives like ice or virtual krathongs and advocate for stricter management, including a potential ban on floating krathongs in open waters, urging authorities to adapt the festival to minimize its ecological footprint.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Yesterday 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.