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.

  • Sponsored

    The real cost of being a digital nomad in Thailand

    Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, known for its affordable living, lively culture, and modern facilities. With its warm climate, great food, and friendly communities, it's an ideal place for remote workers to balance work and travel. However,...

  • Thailand recalibrates incentives to boost renewable energy initiative

    Thailand recalibrates incentives to boost renewable energy initiative

    The Industry Ministry is set to recalibrate incentive packages for organisations as part of the RE100 global renewable energy initiative. This move is intended to allure more investors and facilitate new investment within the nation. RE100, a worldwide initiative comprising hundreds of companies, is committed to 100% renewable energy usage. This aligns with Thailand’s ambitions of reducing carbon dioxide emissions…

  • Work from Bangkok home possible due to increased PM2.5 pollution

    Work from Bangkok home possible due to increased PM2.5 pollution

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) struck a deal with civic groups, proposing work from home plan for 50,000 of the city’s workers if PM2.5 intensity hits the red level for three consecutive days, declared Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The 57 year old city chief, in a strategic morning meeting with top-tier administrators, addressed the escalating PM2.5 dust crisis throttling the…

  • Bangkok braces for rising dust pollution, considers work-from-home scenario

    Bangkok braces for rising dust pollution, considers work-from-home scenario

    Bangkok’s City Hall is on high alert as it keeps a close watch on the escalating ultra-fine dust pollution levels. The governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, raised the possibility of initiating a work-from-home programme if alarmingly unsafe levels persist for three days in a row. Chadchart yesterday indicated that a warning would be disseminated through the City Hall’s network, which boasts over…

  • Bangkok residents warned of escalating air pollution, urged to work remotely

    Bangkok residents warned of escalating air pollution, urged to work remotely

    The Pollution Control Department (PCD) warned residents of Bangkok to prepare for an escalation in ultra-fine particle pollution in the air, which is anticipated to worsen by Wednesday. As a result of this alert, the PCD has implored individuals residing in the capital to opt for remote working until the situation improves. The intensifying accumulation of PM2.5 pollutants, according to…

  • History makes a splash: World’s rarest whale steals the spotlight in cinematic encore (Video)

    History makes a splash: World’s rarest whale steals the spotlight in cinematic encore (Video)

    History has once again etched a remarkable sighting into its records, with the world’s rarest whale being captured on film for only the second time. This exceptional event transpired in the waters off Thailand, where a pair of elusive Omura’s whales were spotted swimming together in the Andaman Sea, one of which bore a distinctive, all-white hue. The surprise encounter…

  • Thailand and Cambodia join forces to tackle transboundary haze pollution

    Thailand and Cambodia join forces to tackle transboundary haze pollution

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday unveiled plans to form a joint task force with Cambodia to combat transboundary haze pollution. The decision was made ahead of a scheduled meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet set to take place in Thailand on February 7. The leaders will undertake a joint study tour to Sa Kaeo province, an area severely impacted…

  • Rare black leopard stuns tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park

    Rare black leopard stuns tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park

    Tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park were left in awe as they stumbled upon a majestic black leopard. The sleek creature made a surprise appearance near the Ban Trang campsite on Wednesday, January 10, turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary wildlife spectacle. Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Mongkol Thai Phakdi confirmed the astounding sighting. The magical moment was expertly…

  • Thai PM approves Clean Air bill: A milestone for environmental protection

    Thai PM approves Clean Air bill: A milestone for environmental protection

    Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday penned his approval of the Clean Air bill. The signing ceremony took place at 9.30am on January 11 in Chiang Mai during the PM’s scheduled visit to review the city’s public transportation systems and ongoing air pollution issues. This move was a significant stride towards addressing Thailand’s air pollution predicament, a subject that has…

  • Thai PM sparks a brighter future: Electric mass transit pledge to zap pollution in Chiang Mai

    Thai PM sparks a brighter future: Electric mass transit pledge to zap pollution in Chiang Mai

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to foster the development of electric mass transit systems as a solution to the persistent air pollution issues plaguing the northern province. 61 year old Thai prime minister noted that the fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) levels had considerably decreased since his last visit on November 28 of the previous year. The…

  • PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5

    PM Srettha’s official visit to Chiang Mai aims to boost Thai tourism and tackle PM2.5

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday embarked on an official visit to Chiang Mai with a delegation to inspect key government policy projects such as transportation network systems, measures to tackle PM2.5 dust particles, and tourism promotion initiatives. During the three-day scheduled trip from January 10-12, PM Srettha encountered the renowned Lieutenant Somboon Banchamek, also known as Buakaw, who was training…

  • Thailand’s marine experts discover Omura’s whales off Phuket coast

    Thailand’s marine experts discover Omura’s whales off Phuket coast

    A team of marine experts from Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) embarked on a mission off the coast of Phuket in search of the elusive Omura’s whale. Despite their extensive efforts, the team’s quest to locate the rare albino Omura’s whale was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, their expedition was far from fruitless, as they discovered several rare marine creatures…

  • Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stipulated guidelines for preventing and solving the PM2.5 dust problem in the Thai capital, yesterday, January 10, at Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng. A campaign has been implemented to change engine oil and air filters according to the usage cycle accordingly to reduce dust caused by dark smoke and exhaust emissions from the combustion engine (diesel). Both…

  • Royal Phuket Marina makes waves as Asia’s pioneering carbon-neutral paradise

    Royal Phuket Marina makes waves as Asia’s pioneering carbon-neutral paradise

    Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) announced its historic achievement as Asia‘s first-ever carbon-neutral marina. A beacon of eco-innovation, RPM goes beyond merely housing boats, transforming into a luxurious haven where sustainability meets opulence. Situated at the gateway to Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea, RPM offers an unparalleled lifestyle immersed in tranquillity. From plush apartments to lavish villas, complete with…

  • Thailand grapples with severe PM2.5 dust pollution impacting 53 provinces

    Thailand grapples with severe PM2.5 dust pollution impacting 53 provinces

    The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported this morning that 53 provinces across Thailand grapple with detrimental health impacts due to PM2.5 dust pollution. Don Mueang district in Bangkok is suffering the most, registering the highest levels of this harmful particulate matter. According to GISTDA’s report from yesterday, there were 310 heat spots detected throughout the country by…

  • Switzerland criticised: Thai electric buses would have been introduced without carbon offsets

    Switzerland criticised: Thai electric buses would have been introduced without carbon offsets

    Switzerland‘s purchase of carbon offsets from Thailand under the Paris Agreement‘s Article 6.2 mechanism has been criticised as the legitimacy of the emission reductions claimed comes under fire. Switzerland has sealed the first-ever transaction under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, acquiring carbon offsets from Thailand linked to the introduction of electric buses in Bangkok. Despite parties celebrating it as a…

  • Rare green dragon caterpillar emerges in southern Thailand

    Rare green dragon caterpillar emerges in southern Thailand

    A sensational discovery unfolded In the heart of Phatthalung‘s Srinagarindra district: a rare dragon-headed caterpillar (Polyura athamas) emerged at a local mangosteen plantation, surpassing expectations and captivating all who lay eyes on it. This enchanting creature, resembling a mythical dragon with its dark green, elongated, and slug-shaped body crowned by four thrust-back horns, was stumbled upon by an avid photographer.…

  • Elephant herd continue to cause havoc in central Thailand

    Elephant herd continue to cause havoc in central Thailand

    Volunteers in Prachin Buri province warned reporters to watch out for wild elephants in Wang Tha Chang Subdistrict yesterday, January 8, during their visit. The Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and village headman were watching out for wild elephants from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao Province, which migrated across the border. The herd, comprising over 150 elephants, invaded deep into…

  • Phuket governor proposes 191 million baht infrastructure and digital modernisation plan

    Phuket governor proposes 191 million baht infrastructure and digital modernisation plan

    It was a bustling day at Phuket Provincial Hall last Friday as local government office chiefs and private sector representatives gathered to confirm a series of new infrastructure developments to be proposed at the upcoming mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong on January 22-23. At the helm of this ambitious endeavour is Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who intends to seek approval…

  • Phuket’s air quality under threat as haze season approaches

    Phuket’s air quality under threat as haze season approaches

    Grey skies are looming over Thailand’s popular tourist destination of Phuket despite the air quality remaining at a moderate level during the first week of January. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has already flagged concerns as predictions suggest the annual haze might arrive earlier than expected this year. According to the World Air Quality Index project (AQICN), the concentration of hazardous PM2.5…

  • Samut Prakan state of emergency after pesticide fire incident

    Samut Prakan state of emergency after pesticide fire incident

    A leak from a 200-litre drum of pesticides in a pickup truck sparked a state of emergency in Samrong Nuea, Samut Prakan. The incident occurred as the clock struck 7pm yesterday, drawing in firefighter teams and corresponding authorities to the scene. In response to the incident, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin intervened at 10.20pm, instructing the Governor of Samut Prakan…

  • Rare cinereous vulture found in Kamphaeng Phet now under specialised care

    Rare cinereous vulture found in Kamphaeng Phet now under specialised care

    A juvenile cinereous vulture, discovered on a road in the Lan Krabue district of Kamphaeng Phet last Sunday, is currently under the care of a team of veterinarians from the neighbouring Nakhon Sawan. The bird, weak from its long winter migration, is being prepared for future release. Veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkol from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s…

  • Thai man nabbed for illegal soil excavation worth thousands of baht

    Thai man nabbed for illegal soil excavation worth thousands of baht

    Today, in Phichit province, local authorities apprehended a man who had been excavating soil from his land for commercial purposes. This operation, led by Natkrit Noykampun, Director of the 4 Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, along with his team, was launched following suspicions raised by two trucks heavily laden with wet, sticky soil on a main road. The…

  • Thailand’s triumph and tribulations: OECD report urges bold reforms

    Thailand’s triumph and tribulations: OECD report urges bold reforms

    Thailand has made good economic recovery post-pandemic, with tourism as a major boost, however, a recent report from the Organisation for Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights the need for bold reforms to solidify and extend this triumph. The second OECD Economic Survey of Thailand commends the nation for averting a severe economic downturn during the pandemic, crediting robust fiscal support.…

  • Chiang Mai: Thai scientists discover edible mushrooms

    Chiang Mai: Thai scientists discover edible mushrooms

    A team of scientists from the Center of Excellence for Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilisation at Chiang Mai University has unveiled two new species of mushrooms— Russula pseudomodesta and Russula sribuabanensis, in northern Thailand. Led by Dr Nakarin Suwannarat, Dr Jaturong Khamla, Professor Emeritus Dr Saisamorn Lamyong, and Dr Soumitra Paloi, the researchers, in collaboration with Prof Dr Samantha C.…

  • ONWR invests 390 billion in water supply management in 2025

    ONWR invests 390 billion in water supply management in 2025

    Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin revealed after chairing a meeting of the National Water Resources Committee that the meeting approved a water resource action plan for fiscal year 2025. More than 50,000 items from 24 agencies, eight ministries, 76 provinces, and more than 2,000 local government organisations from Bangkok and Pattaya, were discussed. An amount of 392,510 million baht is expected…

  • Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use

    Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use

    Central Pattana, alongside influential partners, spearheads the Bottle Free Seas campaign, urging Bangkokians to swap the bottle for reusable options. With a staggering 70 million plastic bottles drowning Bangkok monthly, the initiative aims to flood the city with free water dispensers, starting with the iconic Central World shopping mall. The campaign, a collaborative effort between Central Pattana, the Bangkok Metropolitan…

  • Japan revs up Thai automotive industry: Major automakers inject 150 billion baht boost

    Japan revs up Thai automotive industry: Major automakers inject 150 billion baht boost

    In a move set to ignite Thailand‘s automotive industry, four major Japanese car giants are gearing up to pump a staggering 150 billion baht into manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. This collaboration underscores Thailand’s ascent as a powerhouse in the automotive world and spotlights the government’s triumphant push towards an electrifying future. Four heavyweight Japanese automotive juggernauts are…

  • Vietnam’s plan to import Laos wind power

    Vietnam’s plan to import Laos wind power

    Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has submitted a proposal to import wind power from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to Quang Tri Province. EVN, not one to shy away from bold decisions, has urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to review and present the proposition to the prime minister. The ambitious plan revolves around tapping into the potential…

  • Resort creates stunning Christmas tree from recycled plastic

    Resort creates stunning Christmas tree from recycled plastic

    OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort has not only decked the halls but has also adorned its lobby with an extraordinary Christmas tree that’s more than just glitter and baubles. Step into a world where environmental responsibility meets festive flair, as this luxury resort in the heart of paradise unveils a sustainable masterpiece that’s turning heads and sparking conversations. Embracing the…

  • Northern Thailand: Endangered red-headed vulture lays egg in sanctuary in Uthai Thani

    Northern Thailand: Endangered red-headed vulture lays egg in sanctuary in Uthai Thani

    A significant milestone has been reached in Thailand‘s conservation efforts with the laying of an egg by a critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, Uthai Thani. The exciting development was announced on social media by Ornyupa Sangkamarn, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, who remains hopeful about the egg’s fertility and successful hatching. The…