Chiang Mai will be the hotspot for Loy Krathong celebrations this evening, according to a nationwide Suan Dusit Poll survey.
The polling agency asked 7,536 randomly selected men and women nationwide about their Loy Krathong plans, said Culture Minister Itthipol Khunplome, who commissioned the survey.
Interest in Loy Krathong events was strongest among respondents in three provinces:
– Chiang Mai, for the Yi Peng flying lanterns festival.
– Sukhothai, for the Candle-lit Loy Krathong festival.
– Tak, for the Loy Krathong river festival of 1,000 floating lanterns.
Itthipol did not give the percentage of respondents for each choice.
The survey also found that most respondents planned to float krathongs made from eco-friendly materials out of concern over environmental pollution.
Respondents favoured three types of environmentally friendly krathong:
– 63.59% favoured banana trunk and leaves with lotuses
– 44.49% favoured krathongs made from bread
– 37.75% favored krathongs made from vegetables.
Asked why the Loy Krathong festival is important:
– 66.81% said to express gratitude to rivers, water sources and spirits.
– 61.49% said to promote and preserve Thai traditions.
– 44.73% said to promote cultural tourism.
Asked whether they would join the festival this year, 65.69% of respondents said yes while 27.24% were unsure and the rest said they would not.
Asked which Loy Krathong activities they were interested in joining:
– 49.30% said floating krathongs made of degradable natural materials.
– 44.24% said making merit and paying respect to Buddha images.
– 38.32% said visiting venues lit up with lanterns and dressing in traditional Thai costume.
The results showed that most Thais valued the ancient tradition of Loy Krathong and planned to make merit at temples today, the minister said.
He said he was also pleased that most people cared about conserving the environment by choosing eco-friendly krathongs.
Source: The Nation