Environment News
Thailand environment news, climate change, sustainability, and natural disasters—stay updated on eco-initiatives, biodiversity conservation, and renewable energy efforts. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for environmental news in Thailand.
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Thailand allocates 3.04 billion baht for flood relief
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a request from the Ministry of Interior to allocate 3.04 billion baht (US$91 million) from the central budget to assist flood victims across the country. This decision, taken at the new Cabinet’s first weekly meeting, will provide financial relief to approximately 338,391 households affected by flooding since May, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. The financial…
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Satun province faces severe flooding amid heavy rainfall
Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in four districts of Satun province, affecting eight subdistricts and 26 villages. The continuous downpour led officials to establish boats in flood-prone areas and mobilise resources for 24-hour monitoring and assistance. Heavy rain has been battering Satun province since yesterday, September 16, resulting in significant flooding in the districts of Khuan Don, Mueang Satun, Tha…
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Thailand and Myanmar to expand catchment areas amid flood crisis
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is negotiating with Myanmar officials to find collaborative solutions to the regional flood crisis. Discussions focus on expanding catchment areas to alleviate the flooding impact. Myanmar faces severe flooding due to storms and water flowing from the highlands into the Salween River. The Thai embassy in Myanmar is facilitating discussions between agencies from both nations…
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Severe storm hits Phatthalung, leaving homes roofless
A severe storm hit Phatthalung, causing significant damage to homes and property. Strong winds, referred to as a Lom Hua Duan by locals, and heavy rain devastated the area, leaving at least 14 homes roofless and five homes completely destroyed. Yesterday evening, strong gusts of wind combined with heavy rainfall struck the Khuan Sawaeng village in Khok Sai subdistrict, Pa…
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Urgent steps needed for mud removal in post-flood Chiang Rai
Combating post-flood mud in Chiang Rai requires urgency and efficiency, with recommendations to act before the mud hardens. Sombat Boonngamanong of the Mirror Foundation shared ten practical steps for cleaning homes after flooding, focusing on effective mud removal. Floodwaters have receded in Chiang Rai, leaving behind layers of mud that have even reached rooftops in some areas. The first task…
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WHAUP to invest 2.3bn baht in renewable energy projects
WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP), a subsidiary of Thailand’s largest industrial land developer WHA Corp, is set to invest 2.3 billion baht to bolster its operations and meet the rising demand for water and renewable energy in Thailand and Vietnam. A significant portion of this budget will be directed towards expanding renewable energy, aiming to achieve an electricity generation capacity…
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Drain expectations: Water woes in Thailand get fast-tracked fix
Government officials are pulling out all the stops to accelerate water drainage in the flood-stricken northeastern provinces of Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, and Bung Kan, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced. The 58 year old deputy PM emphasised that swift action in draining water into the Mekong River could dramatically lessen the flood impacts compared to the…
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Mekong your way to better flood control: Experts call for joint effort
The International Rivers Network issued a stark warning, calling on the government to urgently team up with neighbouring nations to manage the Mekong River more effectively. The aim? To cut economic losses and save lives when future floods hit. Pianporn Deetes, the Campaign Director for the Southeast Asia Programme at the International Rivers Network, revealed that recent devastating floods in…
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Chiang Rai hotel offers free rooms to flood victims
Silamanee Resort & Spa Hotel in Chiang Rai is offering free accommodation to flood victims. The ongoing flood situation in Mae Sai and Mueang districts has worsened, with continuous water inflow causing severe hardship for many residents, who are desperately awaiting assistance. Hotel Silamanee’s Facebook page recently posted an update. “Due to the flood situation in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai,…
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Boy stranded in Chiang Rai floodwaters prompts urgent rescue plea
A plea for urgent help emerged as an eight year old boy found himself stranded behind an apartment building in rising floodwaters in Chiang Rai. His aunt posted a distress call on social media, requesting immediate assistance as they had lost contact with the boy and feared for his safety. Yesterday, September 11, a reporter highlighted the severe flooding situation…
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Village headman dies saving girl in Chiang Mai landslide
A landslide in Mae Ai, Chiang Mai, claimed the life of a village headman who died while saving a young girl. His body was found 10 kilometres away from the scene, amid widespread mourning from the community. A devastating landslide occurred in Ban Doi Laem, Moo 13, Doi Laem subdistrict, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, resulting in six fatalities and…
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Mae Sot floods: Three days of rain cause severe damage
Heavy rainfall has pounded Mae Sot for three consecutive days and nights, causing the Moei River to overflow and flood homes, submerging entire cars. Landslides have also blocked the Mae Sot-Tak highway, exacerbating the situation further. Continuous rainfall for three days and nights has wreaked havoc in Tak province’s five border districts, leading to flash floods pouring into the Moei…
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Rayong sets example in eco-industrial urban development
Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environmental Affairs (DCCE) highlighted Rayong as a model for eco-industrial urban development, improving the environment and quality of life as the world faces climate challenges. DCCE Director-General Pirun Saiyasitpanich noted the environmental issues in Thailand stem from human actions, including excessive resource use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a global crisis. Addressing…
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SkyHydrant system brings clean water to Chiang Rai
In the wake of devastating floods, a rural Thai school has been thrown a lifeline—clean drinking water. Disaster Aid Thailand and Disaster Aid Australia, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chiang Khong, installed a SkyHydrant water filtration system at Pang Hat Sahasat School, Wiang Kaen district, Chiang Rai province on September 5 and 6. The installation couldn’t have come…
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Solar shockwave: Pattaya police slash bills with new power move
In a bold step towards a greener future, Nong Yai Police Station in East Pattaya has gone solar, slashing energy costs and setting a shining example for other public institutions. The station, now powered by an impressive 12-kilowatt solar system, is leading the charge in sustainable energy practices. The eco-friendly setup includes a state-of-the-art 12-kilowatt Deye Hybrid Inverter, 28 solar…
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Flood turns Sukhothai village into lake, isolates residents
A flood has turned Ban Nong Non village in Sukhothai province into a vast lake, with residents relying on boats for transportation. The floodwaters have impacted over 12,000 rai of land for the past two weeks, isolating the village. Ban Nong Non village in Sukhothai province remains submerged under floodwaters, creating a lake-like appearance that has attracted visitors from nearby…
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River runs deep: Thai minister dives into Chao Phraya water woes
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat took centre stage yesterday as she inspected water management in the Chao Phraya River basin. In a high-stakes visit, she was joined yesterday, September 8, by her no-nonsense predecessor Thamanat Prompow, Deputy Minister Akara Prompow, and Deputy Minister Itthi Sirilattthayakorn. The power-packed team first swooped into Chai Nat, where they meticulously reviewed operations at…
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Thailand rice is on the rise with global GI glamour
The Thailand Rice Department is on a mission to put Thai rice in the global spotlight by promoting its distinctive strains with certified Geographical Indication (GI) labels to a wider audience. Farming communities in Phatthalung and Trang in the south, along with Phayao in the north, have crafted premium rice products that command top prices. These farmers are betting on…
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1,000 protest in Phrae over 200-billion-baht Kaeng Suea Ten Dam plan
Approximately 1,000 residents gathered in Phrae to protest against the Pheu Thai Party’s plan to revive the contentious Kaeng Suea Ten Dam project in Song district. The demonstrators assembled in tambon Sa Lab, carrying three coffins inscribed with the names of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, and Former Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop…
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House passes 3.7 trillion baht budget plan after tepid debate
After a three-day debate that barely sparked a fire, the House of Representatives finally pushed through the colossal 3.7 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. In a vote held late last night, the bill was approved by a margin of 309 to 155, with four MPs opting to abstain, leaving no one without a voice. Deputy Prime…
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Bangkok’s flood defences on high alert: River embankment boost
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that the Chao Phraya River embankment is ready to handle the first surge of northern floodwaters, with an additional capacity of 1.75 metres. Officials are ordering drainage in canals and warning 17 communities outside the embankment to prepare for potential flooding tomorrow. Chadchart, alongside Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon and the Drainage and Sewerage Department, inspected…
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Phuket: Pregnant whale met tragic end due to floating garbage
A pregnant whale was found dead on a Phuket beach, tragically suffocated by a stomach full of floating rubbish. The grim incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the devastating impact of marine pollution. The 2.24-metre-long female Dwarf Sperm Whale was discovered on Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thalay subdistrict, Thalang district, yesterday, September 2. Experts from the Upper…
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PHIST 2024 calls for sustainable development in Thailand
“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” Joni Mitchell once sang—a line that now eerily echoes the over-development plaguing Thailand’s top tourist hotspots. With the recent catastrophic floods in Phuket raising alarm bells, are these disasters a grim glimpse of the future? And is anyone paying attention to the growing environmental crisis? These questions took centre stage at…
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Phitsanulok governor addresses waste crisis after landfill closure
Phitsanulok’s provincial governor issued an urgent directive to local government organisations to address the overflowing rubbish problem after a private landfill was closed. Residents have complained about the stench and need for a solution. Reporters yesterday, September 2, surveyed the large piles of rubbish accumulating along the roadside near the irrigation canal behind Naresuan University in Tha Pho, Mueang district,…
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Residents protest 200-billion-baht dam project in Phrae
Approximately 150 residents from Tambon Sa-Ieab in Phrae‘s Song district gathered yesterday, September 1 to protest against the proposed Kaeng Sue Ten dam project, arguing it would impact thousands of households and devastate over 10,000 rai of prime forest. The protesters, who assembled at Wat Sri Don Chai, voiced their disapproval of politicians advocating for the dam‘s revival following recent…
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Wealthy woman caught tossing trash into Chon Buri sea
Social media users this week were outraged after a shocking video emerged of a woman in her forties or fifties tossing a bag of trash into the sea from the Cholamarkwithi Bridge in Chon Buri province. The footage, captured by a dashboard camera and shared on the Facebook page Chon Buri News, shows the woman pulling up in a black…
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Nonthaburi residents anxious as flood barrier remains unrepaired
Residents of Nonthaburi expressed concern for a section of the flood barrier along the Chao Phraya River which collapsed four months ago and remains unrepaired. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has only erected a temporary earthen dam, leaving locals doubtful of its effectiveness in preventing flooding. The flood barrier, spanning about 75 metres from the Pak Khlong Bang Kruai watergate…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and potential flooding
The Thai National Water Resources Office (ONWR) issued a nationwide water situation forecast yesterday at 7am. A moderate monsoon trough is expected to affect northern, northeastern, and central Thailand from September 1 to 3, merging with a strong low-pressure system over the central South China Sea. The southwest monsoon will also impact the Andaman Sea, southern, and eastern regions, as…
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Rescue team saves men trapped in flooded pigsty in Lampang
Rescuers navigated a motorised flat-bottomed boat through strong currents to save two middle-aged men trapped in a pigsty in a flooded field. Rising waters from a rapidly flowing stream left the men stranded and unable to escape. At 2.30pm yesterday, August 28, Katha Leelayut, leader of the Wang Nuea Rescue Association in Lampang province, and his team set out to…
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Chiang Mai waterfall closed after flash floods, tourists banned
The Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed due to flash floods, with tourists being prohibited from visiting until conditions improve. Local officials are closely monitoring the situation. Flash floods have led to the temporary closure of the Mae Sa Waterfall in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, located in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai. This decision was made to…
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