Last month, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) gave the stallholders a final eviction order before demolishing the detritus created by the market over the years. BMA workers have finished laying walkways beside Ong Ang and have decorated them with flower pots and beds.
An essential activity for Thais at the annual Loy Krathong festival is to launch small craft onto the nearest waterway. The boats are called krathongs and are mostly made out of natural products, including banana leaves, and adorned with flowers and candles.
Market traders selling krathongs near Ong Ang say they expect business to be better than in previous years as it is much easier to launch the craft now. In previous years, people had to lower their krathongs into the water with string whereas tonight they will be able push them out without too much hassle.
Besides Ong Ang Canal, other recommended Bangkok locations to apologise to the Gods of Water include Dusit Zoo, and Lumpini and Benjasiri parks. 12GO ASIA offers reliability for transport tickets when travelling at Loy Krathong or during any other major Thai festival period.
Cleaned up Bangkok canal ready for Loy Krathong launches
News in Asia
Municipal authorities in Bangkok have restored one of the city’s historic canals to its former glory in time for tonight’s Loy Krathong celebrations. The canal, Klong Ong Ang, is located close to the Chinatown area of central Bangkok. It has been more or less buried under the stalls of Saphan Lek Market for the past few decades.