Hippo Power: How a Thai Monk and a Solar-Powered Boat Are Transforming Bangkok’s River

In the heart of Bangkok, where the Chao Phraya River winds its way through the bustling city, something extraordinary is happening.

A dedicated Buddhist monk and a bright yellow, solar-powered boat called the Hippo are teaming up to tackle the city’s plastic problem—and they’re making a splash!

Meet the Dynamic Duo: A Monk on a Mission

Phra Mahapranom Dhammalangkaro isn’t your typical monk. As the abbot of Wat Chak Daeng, a 240-year-old temple, he’s taken on the ambitious task of cleaning up the Chao Phraya River. Years ago, this river was a lively, fish-filled waterway, but pollution has taken its toll, turning it into a murky mess.

Determined to restore it to its former glory, Dhammalangkaro began recycling at the temple, turning plastic waste into useful items like robes for monks. But he knew he needed more help to clean the river itself.

Enter the Hippo: A Floating Cleanup Machine

Enter the Hippo, the coolest thing to hit Bangkok’s waterways since, well, ever! This solar-powered, yellow boat is on a mission to gobble up as much plastic as possible—1.4 million kilos a year, to be exact. The Hippo uses a conveyor belt to scoop up floating trash, from plastic bottles to food containers, and dumps it into a dumpster hidden under its roof. It’s like a giant vacuum cleaner for the river, and it’s turning heads everywhere it goes.

Why This Matters: A Cleaner River, A Greener Future

The Chao Phraya River isn’t just any river; it’s the lifeblood of Bangkok. It’s home to endangered species like the giant catfish and is a major artery for water buses and ferries. But it’s also a dumping ground for thousands of tonnes of plastic every year. With the Hippo on the job, there’s real hope that this iconic river can be saved.

And it’s not just about cleaning up the mess. The Hippo is raising awareness about plastic pollution. People are curious when they see this bright yellow boat in action, and that curiosity is sparking conversations about how to reduce waste and protect the environment.

The Bigger Picture: Creating a Circular Economy

At Wat Chak Daeng, the Hippo’s haul is put to good use. Plastic waste is transformed into fabric, which volunteers sew into robes, blankets, and bags. Even tricky-to-recycle plastics are broken down into oil using innovative technology. The temple has become a model for what’s known as a circular economy—where nothing goes to waste, and everything has a purpose.

What’s Next? More Hippos, More Impact!

The success of the Hippo in Bangkok is just the beginning. The team at Seven Clean Seas, led by Tom Peacock-Nazil, is dreaming big. They plan to build more Hippos to tackle polluted rivers across Thailand and Southeast Asia. They’re also working with local communities to stop plastic waste at its source, ensuring that rivers stay clean for future generations.

Join the Movement: Be Part of the Change

The story of a monk and his Hippo is more than just an environmental success—it’s a call to action. It shows that with creativity, determination, and a bit of high-tech help, we can tackle even the toughest problems.

So, the next time you see a plastic bottle, remember the Hippo and the monk who decided to make a difference. You can too!

Let’s keep the momentum going and support projects like this that are making the world a cleaner, greener place—one river at a time.

SOURCE: The Guardian