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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Air quality worsens, affecting 56 Thai provinces with high PM2.5
Air quality in the Kingdom of Thailand has deteriorated over the past week, impacting 56 provinces with elevated PM2.5 levels, notably affecting the north and northeast. Projections for the week indicate worsening conditions. As of March 27, the Air Pollution Solution Communication Centre released its air quality report. The report highlights that the PM2.5 levels exceed national standards across several…
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Mysterious pipe near Pattaya beach sparks pollution concerns
A mysterious pipe emerging from the sea near Wong Amat Beach in Naklua has raised alarm among locals, prompting an investigation by Pattaya’s City Hall complaints division. The issue, which has been brewing for some time, has stirred a mix of reactions from residents, some praising the swift response, while others remain frustrated at the delay in addressing the matter.…
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Wildfires force indefinite closure of North Thailand park
Doi Phu Nang National Park in Phayao province has been closed indefinitely following a troubling rise in wildfires, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced yesterday, March 25. The park, known for its lush mountain ranges and diverse wildlife, will remain off-limits to both tourists and locals as authorities work to address the ongoing fire risks.…
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Thailand Industry Ministry probes illegal import of radioactive waste
The Ministry of Industry has launched an investigation into the illegal importation of over 10,000 tonnes of radioactive waste falsely labelled as zinc concentrate. The potentially dangerous material, tainted with radioactive caesium-137, was smuggled into Thailand using fraudulent documentation, sparking alarm over the safety of the country’s waste management practices. Yesterday, March 25, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan revealed the investigation,…
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Chiang Mai declared disaster zone due to ongoing wildfires
Wildfires in Chiang Dao and Omkoi districts of Chiang Mai have been raging for two weeks, prompting the declaration of disaster zones as local efforts intensify to manage the situation. Chiang Mai governor Nirat Phongsittithaworn yesterday, March 24, announced that five subdistricts within these districts are now designated as disaster areas. This decision enables the implementation of emergency relief and…
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Final roar: Beloved white tiger ‘Sun’ bows out after cancer battle
A 16 year old white tiger passed away peacefully in its sleep on Sunday night, March 23. The beloved tiger, Sun, who had captured the hearts of many, succumbed to a long battle with gastrointestinal and lung cancer. Sun’s death has left a void at Bueng Chawak Wildlife Sanctuary, where it was cared for by a dedicated team. A team…
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Thailand battles severe air pollution across 61 provinces
Thailand is still grappling with severe air pollution, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safety standards in 61 provinces. Reports from the Pollution Control Department indicate that areas including Bangkok and the north are experiencing atmospheric conditions similar to a lid, trapping pollutants and causing concentrations to rise. The Air Pollution Solutions Communication Centre of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported at…
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Bangkok choking: PM2.5 toxic dust clouds capital in pollution panic
Bangkok and a staggering 57 out of 76 provinces across Thailand found themselves gasping for breath today, as hazardous PM2.5 dust levels enveloped the nation. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) sounded the alarm, highlighting the north, northeast, central plain, and east regions with red-level warnings, while the south enjoyed clearer skies. GISTDA deem PM2.5 levels below 37.5…
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Toxic haze: Chiang Mai at No. 5 globally for poor air quality
Chiang Mai has been ranked as the world’s fifth-worst city for air quality, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safe limits across the province. Hod district experienced the highest levels, with PM2.5 reaching 144 microgrammes per cubic metre today, March 22. The weakening of a cold air mass has caused reduced air ventilation, contributing to the accumulation of dust particles. At 9am,…
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Air pollution crisis: PM2.5 levels soar across Thailand’s provinces
The Air Pollution Solutions Communication Centre reported that PM2.5 levels exceeded the standard in 37 provinces across Thailand, with northern and northeastern regions experiencing the highest levels of air pollution. The situation is expected to worsen over the next seven days. The report today, March 20, highlighted that PM2.5 levels in several provinces, including Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon,…
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Mae Hong Son strengthens cross-border efforts on forest fires
Mae Hong Son province is stepping up its efforts to combat cross-border forest fires by ramping up cooperation with its neighbouring states. Deputy Governor Boonlue Thammathranurak highlighted the ongoing problem of illegal burning along the border between Mae Hong Son and countries such as Shan State, Karen State, and Kayah State. These areas have long faced the threat of uncontrolled…
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Shell shocked: Minister calls for united front to save dugongs (video)
An impassioned call for collective action to tackle the conservation crisis threatening seagrass and dugongs was issued by Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment at the Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort. The turtle release ceremony, held on March 14, emphasised the urgent need for all sectors to collaborate in safeguarding these endangered marine species. Chalermchai lauded the efforts…
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Thailand’s Lawa Yai island wins top beach award
Lawa Yai, an unspoiled tropical retreat in Ao Phang Nga National Park, has just landed a major international honour, securing ISO 13009:2015 certification for top-tier beach management and sustainable tourism. This recognition puts the island on the map as a world-class destination that blends environmental preservation with visitor-friendly services. Phob Toonsang, chief of the national park’s first conservation unit, hailed…
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Toxic air crisis: Dangerous PM2.5 levels choke 28 Thai provinces
Thailand’s air pollution crisis has intensified, with PM2.5 levels in 28 provinces, mostly in the north and northeast, exceeding the country’s safety standard, the government’s Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) confirmed this afternoon. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk…
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Sea turtle lays eggs on Koh Larn, delighting tourists
A rare sighting of a sea turtle laying eggs was reported yesterday at Tien Beach on Koh Larn, Chon Buri province. The unexpected event delighted tourists and observers, as the area, known for its high tourist traffic, had never before recorded sea turtle nesting. Upon learning about the event, Wuttipong Wong-in, director of the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Division…
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Thailand battles PM 2.5 with strict anti-burning measures
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) urged provinces to intensify efforts in monitoring PM 2.5 dust levels and hot spots while strictly enforcing laws against illegal burning. Phasakorn Boonyalak, Director-General of the DDPM and Secretary of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, yesterday, March 3, noted that while the overall PM 2.5 levels in the central, eastern,…
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Cruise company apologises for pouring trash into Chao Phraya (video)
In a scandal that sparked outrage among environmentalists and Bangkok residents, Royal Galaxy Cruise issued a public apology after a video surfaced showing trash being dumped into the Chao Phraya River. The company expressed deep regret over the incident, blaming an untrained temporary employee for the environmental blunder. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, showed garbage being carelessly…
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Cosmic spectacle: Rare planet parade visible this week in Thailand
Stargazers in Thailand are in for a celestial treat as a rare planetary alignment will light up the evening sky this week, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). For a limited time, all the visible planets in the Solar System will be lined up, creating a breathtaking parade that can be seen with the naked eye.…
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Udon Thani set to host first wetland horticultural expo
Narumon Pinyosinwat, the agriculture and cooperatives minister, assigned Anongnat Chakaew, her assistant secretary, to preside over a press conference introducing the Udonthani Horticultural Exposition 2026. During the event, Rapeepat Chantarasrivong, director-general of the Department of Agriculture, delegated Wilawan Kraikruan, deputy director-general, alongside Rachun Sunha, governor of Udon Thani province, to announce the province’s readiness under the theme Diversity of Life,…
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Cruise ship caught dumping trash into Chao Phraya River (video)
Outrage is sweeping Bangkok after shocking footage emerged of cruise ship staff dumping large amounts of trash into the Chao Phraya River every day. The scandal was exposed by former beauty queen Carla Porter, first runner-up of Miss Thailand World 2009, who posted the incriminating video on her Facebook page. The clip, secretly filmed by a friend, shows staff from…
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Dirty secret exposed: Illegal dumping scandal rocks East Pattaya
A shocking discovery of illegal construction waste dumped along a nearly 1-kilometre stretch of road near Motorway No.7 in East Pattaya has sparked outrage and a massive cleanup operation. The eyesore, located just before the municipal landfill, consisted of construction debris, tiles, cement scraps, foam boxes, and tree branches, turning the area into a stinking, unsanitary mess. Mayor Winai Inpitak…
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Phuket meeting targets land disputes and environmental issues
Phuket’s top officials gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, February 25, to confront the island’s escalating land disputes and environmental challenges. The high-stakes meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, aimed to tackle the complex issues of land encroachment, overlapping claims, and environmental degradation, all of which threaten the island’s sustainability. The meeting was attended by heavyweights in the…
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Washed up: Garbage crisis floods Phuket’s Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park on Phuket’s northeast coast is drowning in garbage, sparking serious concerns among officials and locals. The mounting waste problem has reached alarming levels, with 200 to 300 kilogrammes of trash generated daily but left uncollected due to limited resources, according to Park Chief Siriwat Suebsai. The shocking revelation emerged during a visit by the House of Representatives…
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Pattaya plans low-carbon future with solar power and clean energy
Pattaya City is on a mission to transform itself into a low-carbon tourism destination, with ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy. In the second meeting of the Public Image Committee, Poramet Ngampichet, Mayor of Pattaya City, outlined a bold vision for a greener, cleaner future, leveraging solar power and clean energy solutions. Held at Meeting…
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Bangkok faces severe air pollution as PM2.5 levels rise
The Pollution Control Department has issued a warning concerning high PM2.5 levels across 32 provinces in Thailand, with Bangkok experiencing the most severe pollution. Predictions indicate that PM2.5 levels in Bangkok and its vicinity are likely to rise in the upcoming week. Yesterday, February 21, the Air Pollution Resolution Communication Centre of the Pollution Control Department released a report on…
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Pattaya fights a shore thing: War declared on stinky seaweed
In a bid to rescue their once-pristine shorelines, Pattaya City officials have declared war on the stinking seaweed invasion that’s left Krating Rai Beach in turmoil. Under Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, a massive clean-up operation was launched yesterday, February 19, as officers from the Cleaning Control Division, Pollution Control Division, and Natural Resources and Environment Department rolled up their sleeves…
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Bangkok to adopt Beijing’s air pollution solutions in landmark deal
Bangkok is set to benefit from Beijing’s expertise in tackling air pollution, as the two capitals signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Air Quality Monitoring and Management Cooperation. The agreement, signed via video between the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Environment Department, marks a major step in the fight against toxic smog.…
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Phuket urges waste separation as incinerator shuts down
Phuket’s waste crisis is escalating as the island’s only public incinerator shuts down for a month-long renovation, forcing local government operatives to dump hundreds of tonnes of excess waste into overflowing landfills. Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet visited the Phuket Solid Waste Disposal Centre at Saphan Hin on Monday, February 17 to discuss emergency waste management measures with municipal engineers and…
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Phuket braces for drought: Officials scramble to secure water
As Phuket enters the dry season, officials are stepping up efforts to prevent a potential drought, holding an emergency meeting to strategise water management and mitigation measures. The Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) convened its first working group meeting of the year yesterday, February 17, led by Chief Sopon Thongsai. The session brought together multiple agencies…
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Why is it raining heavily in Bangkok?
Bangkok and many parts of Thailand are currently experiencing heavy rain, which is expected to persist throughout the week. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy downpours across 33 provinces. But what’s causing this unusual weather, and how does it relate to Thailand’s monsoon patterns? What’s causing the heavy rain in Bangkok?…
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