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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A strong digital presence is a must for any business chasing market share and growth in this day and age. But turning that ambition into tangible results? That takes the right partner. And if you’ve been looking for a top...
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Eco-friendly e-pedicabs revolutionise Vientiane’s transport scene
In a groundbreaking move towards a greener, quieter Vientiane, the Laos-Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project has unveiled an innovative non-motorised initiative set to transform the city centre. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s Department of Transport, the project aims to combat air and noise pollution. Introducing a novel addition to the bustling streets of Vientiane, the project…
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Lava bypasses town, dodges devastation in Iceland volcanic eruption
A massive volcanic eruption in Iceland seems to have spared the only town in its path, offering a glimmer of hope for the residents of Grindavik. Geologists and rescue officials are now breathing a sigh of relief as the lava takes an unexpected detour away from the vulnerable town. The explosive volcanic eruption, which rocked the Reykjanes peninsula on the…
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West Thailand: Tiger cubs spotted in secret jungle hideout
Hidden cameras deep within Kanchanaburi‘s Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary have snapped jaw-dropping photos of two tiger cubs. Trail cameras, strategically placed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, recently struck gold, capturing never-before-seen snapshots of the tiger cubs on August 3. These heart-melting images reveal the untamed beauty of nature’s fiercest felines. Officials from the Department collaborated with…
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Thailand braces for cold weather and heavy rain: A warning from Thai Meteorological Department
The Thai Meteorological Department, via their Facebook fan page, has issued a warning of cold weather across the country, heavy to very heavy rain in the south, and strong sea waves in the Gulf of Thailand. The weather changes are expected to occur tomorrow from December 20 to 25. A high-pressure system, or a mass of cold air from China,…
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Successful rainmaking operations drastically reduce Bangkok’s pollution levels
Pollution levels across Bangkok and neighbouring areas nosedived yesterday as a result of successful rainmaking operations carried out east of the capital. The operations saw a significant reduction in the concentration of ultra-fine pollutants in the air, bringing it back within the safety threshold. Supis Pitakham, the director-general of the Department of Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, confirmed that the cloud-seeding…
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Thailand’s path to net-zero: 6 mega-trends to combat carbon missions
Renewable energy, electric vehicles, hydrogen, and the circular economy are the knights in shining armour, charging into the battleground of carbon emissions, claims Melissa Moi, the head of sustainable business at the United Overseas Bank (Thailand). This revelation comes on the heels of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, where the imminent industrial upheaval stole the spotlight. Climate…
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Fine dust pollution spikes across Thailand, Bangkok plans tree-planting pilot
Intensified fine dust pollution has led to heightened levels of fine particulate matter under 2.5 microns, known as PM2.5, in 30 provinces across Thailand, including Bangkok. This development was recorded yesterday through the satellite-based Check Foon application, developed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Samut Songkhram experienced the highest dust level, peaking at 84.1 microgrammes per cubic…
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Dangerous blue-ringed octopus found in seafood in Thailand
Seafood enthusiasts are urged to exercise caution as instances of the dangerous blue-ringed octopus found in food have been increasing, whether in barbecue restaurants, skewers prepared for grilling, or even sushi. But why is this particular species a cause for concern? Let’s delve into the interesting yet perilous world of the blue-ringed octopus, a creature that is 20 times more…
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Geminids meteor shower to light up the sky
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has extended an invitation to Thai citizens to witness the Geminids meteor shower, commonly known as the Gemini Twins meteor shower, which will peak tonight December 14, continuing into the early hours of tomorrow. The spectacle can be observed from around 8pm onwards, with an expected peak frequency after midnight of approximately…
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Revolutionary Thai project turns waste into gold: The PARQ’s green secrets unveiled
In a move towards environmental sustainability, The PARQ, Thailand‘s pioneering mixed-use development, has unveiled its secret weapon: a cutting-edge waste management system that’s turning food waste into nutrient-rich plant vitamins. As the first project in Thailand to achieve the prestigious LEED Gold® version 4 certification and the WELL certifiedâ„¢ core gold standard, The PARQ is not just a real estate…
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Thai youth unite to battle climate change and violence against children
Young minds from all corners of Thailand recently converged in Bangkok to unveil General Comment No. 26 (GC26), a global manifesto championing children’s rights and environmental protection. The event, Child Safe & Friendly Environment – Ending Violence Against Children: Environmental Safety, orchestrated by the Thai Child Rights Network in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, UNICEF…
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Bangkok struggles with escalating PM2.5 levels: urgent government intervention needed
Bangkok is grappling with a severe rise in PM2.5 levels, necessitating immediate intervention from the government. Nearly 29 of the city’s 50 districts have recorded PM2.5 concentrations surpassing 35 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), making the air unfit for breathing. The districts with the highest PM2.5 concentrations include Bangkok Yai (105.1μg/m3), Thonburi (104.8μg/m3), Nong Khaem (103.7μg/m3), Khlong San (100.6μg/m3), and…
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Thailand’s Central Plain faces escalating smog crisis with soaring PM2.5 levels
Thailand’s Central Plain is grappling with an increasing smog crisis, as PM2.5 dust levels surged to a staggering 134.8 micrograms per cubic metre of air on Tuesday morning, a significant jump from Monday’s reading of 96.6µg/m³, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported. This morning, December 12, saw 15 provinces in the Central Plain, inclusive of Greater Bangkok,…
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Thai minister heats up COP28 with climate change commitment
At the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Police General Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, took centre stage, making bold declarations and unveiling ambitious plans to combat climate change. In a fervent address on December 10, Phatcharavat reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, sending shockwaves through the climate change talks. He underlined the urgency…
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Ultrafine dust blankets 50 Thai provinces posing serious health risks
Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust engulfed 50 Thai provinces today, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Central Plains and the Mortheast were the hardest hit regions. GISTDA’s 7am update on its website PM25.gistda.or.th today, December 11, highlighted that mostly central plains and northeastern provinces were among the 50 out of 77 provinces cloaked in…
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Plastic predicament: Thailand faces a ton(ne) of trouble with a 62% surge in waste
Plastic waste in Thailand has witnessed a surge of 62%, escalating from 2.12 million tonnes in 2019 to 3.4 million tonnes in 2020, according to the Thailand Environment Institute. This increase has been largely attributed to lifestyle changes induced by the pandemic, such as an increased reliance on food delivery services. The Prayut Chan-o-cha government initiated a policy in 2018…
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Global carbon countdown: Is the world doomed? Shocking revelations from climate talk
At the Thai-German conference Climate Talk in Bangkok, Germany’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Ernst Reichel, warns that the world is perilously behind in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. As countries grapple with the devastating consequences of climate change, a fossil fuel ban emerges as a contentious issue during Climate Talk, creating challenges for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)…
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Chon Buri: Peacock on residential rooftop captured by rescue teams in Nong Prue
A peacock was spotted yesterday perching on a residential rooftop at Eakmongkol Village 3, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The Nong Prue rescue teams, upon receiving the unusual report at 5.40pm, promptly arrived on the scene to manage the situation. The peacock, typically an inhabitant of the wilderness, had somehow made its way to the urban locality and decided to make…
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Trunk trouble: Wild elephant herd creates chaos in Prachin Buri farmlands
In the heart of Prachin Buri, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict located in the Kabin Buri district, a herd of over 100 wild elephants emerged from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, wreaking havoc on local farming land. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) swiftly took action, initiating an operation to usher the elephants back into their natural…
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Escalating monkey population in Phetchaburi prompts collaborative resolution
The escalating monkey population in Phetchaburi has led to a collaboration between the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) and residents to address the issue. Edwin Week, secretary of the Wildlife Friends Foundation, Suraphon Nakhon Nakhon, President of Phetchaburi Future Organization, and a veterinarian from the DNP, along with monks and locals affected by the problem, gathered for…
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Thailand’s clean air bill targets PM2.5 dust menace
Thailand’s Cabinet has given preliminary approval to the Clean Air Bill, a bold initiative designed to combat the annual scourge of PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. This is a major move that gives authorities the necessary tools to manage sources of air pollutants effectively, particularly the minuscule dust particles that become a significant issue in the country each cool season. The Clean…
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High depreciation of EVs raises loan concerns says National Credit Bureau
The National Credit Bureau (NCB) raised concerns about the high depreciation rates of electric vehicles (EVs) and the associated loan risks. As the popularity of EVs, particularly Chinese brands, continues to rise, so does the volume of loans attributed to their purchase. However, EVs depreciate faster than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, which has heightened the risk for auto…
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Young clinician’s tragic death raises questions on Thai air pollution
The problem of PM 2.5 Thai air pollution has been highlighted by the unfortunate case of 28 year old Kritthai Tansombatitkul, a clinician and statistician at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, who passed away from late-stage lung cancer. Despite living a healthy lifestyle and not smoking, he was diagnosed with the disease at a young age, leading many…
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BCPG to divest its nine solar farms in Japan for strategic reinvestment
BCPG Plc, Bangchak Group’s power generation subsidiary, is planning to divest all its nine solar farms in Japan, in a strategic move to revamp its long-term investment in renewable energy. The assets on sale include equity worth 6.93 billion baht and net debt totalling 3.44 billion baht. The company has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Danish renewable energy…
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Thailand poised to become regional hub for electric vehicle production
Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a potential regional centre for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, bolstered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s confidence and support. This sentiment was shared with the public on December 1 by the Government Spokesperson, Chai Watcharong. PM Srettha has reportedly been working closely with various agencies to encourage and aid international private entities, particularly those…
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Flash floods claim one life and leave 11 missing at Indonesia’s Jewel, Lake Toba
Flash floods in Lake Toba, Indonesia wreaked havoc, claiming one life and leaving 11 missing on December 1. Lake Toba experienced a heavy downpour, triggering devastating flash floods. The heavy rain caused widespread destruction that extended beyond homes to include a church, a school, and even a hotel. The aftermath resembled a nightmare, as large stones, trees, and mud cascaded…
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Are bread krathongs harming Bangkok’s public park ponds?
Environmental advisor to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Pornporm Wikitsate, exposed the negative impacts of biodegradable Krathongs on public park ponds after the recent Loy Krathong Festival. The public, in a bid to reduce waste and protect the environment, had opted to float Krathongs made from bread. However, the aftermath was not as environmentally friendly as anticipated. Pornporm questioned whether bread…
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Significant earthquake in Mindanao Philippines triggers tsunami warning but spares Thailand
The Philippines experienced a significant earthquake near the island of Mindanao, triggering a tsunami warning. The quake, measuring 7.5 in magnitude, didn’t affect Thailand, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Japan also issued a tsunami warning in response to the seismic activity occurring on December 3. At 9.57pm yesterday, December 2, the TMD stated the earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines.…
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Thai Prime Minister to review proposed energy tariff increase
Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, is set to convene a meeting with the relevant bodies following the revelation that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) intends to surge the energy tariff from 3.99 baht per unit to 4.68 baht per unit from January to April next year. This proposed increase has stirred renewed demands for a revamp of the nation’s…
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Southern Thailand: Flood mitigation study completed in Surat Thani’s Klong Roy Sai area
The Royal Irrigation Department completed a flood mitigation study in the Klong Roy Sai area of Surat Thani city, which promises to bring benefits to residents. The project launch was held at the Wang Tai Hotel conference room in Surat Thani. Notable attendees included Nuntawat Charoenwan, Deputy Governor of Surat Thani Province, Somsawat Chaisinsorn, Director of Surat Thani Irrigation Project, and…
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