Local Teens Help Clear Garbage Left Behind By Crowd At Thai Boat Festival

Teenagers clean up mess left by crowd

Images adapted from:  Chawanpat Suwannawong

After big festivities end, it is almost certain to see rubbish scattered around the pavements and seating area. However, these 5 local teens couldn’t stand such a view and took the matter into their own hands.

On 14th October 2019, a Facebook user named Chawanpat Suwannawong posted photos of her and her friends cleaning up a pavement next to Soonthorn Vijit Road, the riverside road near Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom. 

Ms. Chawanpat (in black) and her friends
Images adapted from: Chawanpat Suwannawong

Source

Translation: Taking it into our hands. Tired but happy. We had a good night.

Like many people that evening, these 5 enthusiastic teens came to the river to see a parade of boats decorated with beautiful lights. After the parade ended, however, the crowd was replaced by a lot of unwanted trash like plastic bags and bottles.

Seeing that no one had bothered cleaning up after themselves, the team decided to take matters into their own hands together. 

Wow, what a transformation – bravo guys!
Images adapted from: Chawanpat Suwannawong

Thai netizens show their admiration

The post has since been shared for over 19k times and gained tonnes of support from netizens. In the comments section, heartwarming words and gratitude was shared toward the teens, while some people were criticising the crowd who left the mess behind.  

Translation: I wish these brothers and sisters all the best. I’m glad you guys want to keep your home clean.

Translation: Everybody is so nice. Bravo.

Translation: Darn! That’s a ton of rubbish. People are so careless. Kudos to you guys.

Boat festival in Nakhon Phanom

The boat parade is a part of the fiery boat festival or ‘Lai Ruea Fai’, a regional way of celebrating the end of the Buddhist Lent Day, which was on 13th October this year. Buddhist Lent takes place during the rainy season, starting in July and ends in October. 

Thai Buddhists still participate in this belief by paying merits at temples on the first and last day of the lent. Each area also has its traditional way to celebrate the occasion, like the fiery boat festival in Nakhon Phanom. 

We hope these teens have inspired everyone to keep public places litter-free by cleaning up after ourselves – it’s also a great way to show respect for the environment too. 

Read more inspirational stories here:

• 70-Year-Old Uncle In Thailand Owns 12-Acre Plantation Just By Selling Trash
• Local Volunteer Group Trash Hero Langsuan Helps Clear 8 Tons Of Garbage In A Year

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