NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The provincial governor has banned the practice of scattering the ashes of the deceased in the Mun River at a public park in Chalerm Phrakiat district following complaints from local residents.
Governor Vichien Chantaranothai said on Monday that people in seven villages in tambon Tha Chang had complained that people providing the service were catering to up to five families each day.
The area is a landscaped park along the Mun River in Ban Nong Bua of tambon Tha Chang.
The service providers also arranged for the disposal of candles, incense sticks and the deceased's personal possessions into the river. This sometimes included mattresses and pillows.
This dumping affected both the feelings and health of people living downstream. The items could carry disease, Mr Vichien said.
The governor ordered the tambon Tha Chang municipal office to take legal action against the service providers. He said they were liable to a maximum penalty of three months in prison and/or fine of 25,000 baht for breaching health regulations.
He ordered officials to inform the public of the ban and patrol riverside areas to put an end to the practice along the Mun River.
Scattering the ashes of loved ones from a boat into the Mun River is a traditional ritual in parts of Isan, with families often travelling long distances to the river. Boatmen wait for hire on the river bank at popular spots, usually near a temple.
