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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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Thailand PM invites Tesla, HP, and Analog Devices to invest
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin extended an invitation to three significant American corporations to consider investing in Thailand, asserting the nation’s capability to act as their productive bases. The 61 year old prime minister recently visited the manufacturing plant of Tesla’s electric vehicles (EVs), where he participated in a trial run of the company’s cyber truck, which is set for unveiling…
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Sign of abundance: Shocking pink millipede spotted in Thai forest
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) shared some good news on the discovery of a shocking pink millipede at the Hup Pa Tat limestone in the Pathun Mountain Non-hunting Area in the central province of Uthai Thani. The appearance of the arthropod is an indicator showing the area is abundant with them. The DNP posted a…
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Thailand prepares for onset of cool season as northern front approaches
Thailand is bracing for a weather shift as a cool front from the north is set to lower temperatures starting tomorrow, signalling the onset of the cool season. This front, according to reports from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), was making its way over the region during the weekend, bringing with it strong winds. The shift in weather won’t be…
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Iberdrola highlights hydrogen’s commercialisation challenges despite its green potential
A green and abundant energy source for the future, hydrogen commercialisation is difficult without government subsidies, according to Iberdrola, the world’s third-largest private renewable electric utility provider. The company suggests that hydrogen might not be the ideal energy source for passenger cars, but rather for heavy logistics and industry. Armando Martinez, Iberdrola’s chief executive, acknowledged that hydrogen has been used by…
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Mild earthquake shakes Pai district affecting four provinces
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 2 kilometres shook Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, causing tremors that were felt across four provinces. The Geology Department reported that the quake occurred today, with no initial damage found. The earthquake originated in the northern part of Wiang Nuea subdistrict, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. It was followed by…
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Heatwave history: European scientists declare 2023 hottest year in 125,000 years
European scientists confirmed that this year is the hottest in 125,000 years. This follows data released last month indicating that global temperatures have reached record-breaking highs. The European Union’s climate change watchdog, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), revealed that the temperature in October surpassed the previous record set in 2019 by 0.4 degrees Celsius. The weather anomalies observed in October…
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Whale of a time: Holidaymakers treated to rare sea spectacle near Phuket
Holidaymakers on a leisurely boat tour around the Racha Islands, located south of Phuket, yesterday were privy to a thrilling spectacle: the rare sight of a whale in its natural habitat, a relatively unusual occurrence in these parts. The Star Sailing Club’s head, Ilya Saldaev, captured and shared footage of the majestic creature breaking the water’s surface on social media.…
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Tiny trumpeter: Lost wild Thai elephant calf finds a voice and milk refuge
A one-month-old wild Thai elephant calf discovered alone and in a weakened state has begun making some noise and consuming milk regularly. Despite the absence of a wild elephant herd in the nearby vicinity, Thap Lan National Park and its veterinary team have been assisting the lost calf. The calf was found wandering near a cassava farm belonging to villagers in Talingshan…
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Water supply timeout: Phuket residents set for thirst quenching pause
Residents in Phuket’s Bang Jo area are bracing themselves for a disruption in their water supply. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) of Phuket declared a temporary halt in the water supply from the evening of November 9 to the early hours of November 10. The shut-off is a result of repair work that needs to be carried out in the…
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Thailand’s health ministry gears up for severe haze pollution
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has established an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to address the imminent severe haze pollution anticipated in the forthcoming dry season, triggered by the persistent issue of PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. This was confirmed by Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, on Tuesday. The critical areas of concern are the northern provinces of the country, with…
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Germany grants 16 billion baht to Thailand for climate change projects
Thailand is set to receive a significant contribution of 422 million euros (16 billion baht) from Germany, intended to fund various projects addressing climate change impacts. The announcement was made by Ernst Reichel, the German Ambassador to Thailand, during a press briefing yesterday. Reichel, who assumed his diplomatic role two months prior, underscored that climate change mitigation is a prime…
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Pattaya’s party takes a smoggy hit: Tops PM2.5 list in Thailand
Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches, now finds itself at the top of a less desirable list in Thailand. It was reported yesterday, November 5, that Pattaya had the highest concentration of PM2.5, a type of health-hazardous dust, in the entire country. Pattaya’s PM2.5 level surged to a staggering 154 micrograms per cubic meter, which…
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Bird breeders tweet plea to un-list the red-whiskered bulbul
Thailand‘s red-whiskered bulbul breeders’ association launched an appeal to the government, seeking to remove the bird from its list of protected species. The association argues that the breeding industry previously generated a substantial income for the economy, amounting to a billion baht. Suratep Boonyavatvanit, president of the association, highlighted that half a decade ago, there were approximately a million breeders…
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Pattaya: Extinct Neptune’s Cup Sponge rediscovered
A wave of enthusiasm has swept through the environmental community in Pattaya, following the exciting rediscovery of the Neptune’s Cup Sponge, a marine creature believed to have been extinct. This incredible find was announced by Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, serving as the Associate Dean for the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, via a post on his personal Facebook page. The…
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Thai firms to get tax cuts for aiding PM2.5 pollution reduction efforts
The government is set to grant tax incentives to Thai firms that financially support the mitigation of PM2.5 fine particulate matter, primarily resulting from forest fires. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has expressed growing concern over the haze pollution expected to shroud the central and northern regions from November to March due to an extended drought period influenced…
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Bangkok’s air quality dips: PM2.5 dust levels spark health warnings
Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are experiencing PM2.5 dust levels above the standard, leading to health concerns and advisories for the public to cease outdoor activities. The Air Pollution Problem Resolution Centre under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) unveiled these findings after monitoring air quality. While the PM2.5 dust level remained within standard limits across the country,…
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Bangkok breathes uneasy: PM2.5 dust levels reach ‘unhealthy’ zones
Bangkok, alongside other provinces, is grappling with unsettling levels of ultra-fine dust, or PM2.5. The quality of air in several areas has been categorised as either moderate or in the unhealthy spectrum. People, especially those living with chronic illnesses, have been cautioned by the Public Health Ministry to review the air quality before stepping out or participating in outdoor activities.…
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Locals petition to halt contentious 200-billion-baht water project in Thailand
The Chiang Mai Administrative Court received a petition yesterday from locals seeking the cancellation of a contentious 200-billion-baht water diversion venture. This project, designed to bolster the water supply to the Bhumibol dam in Tak, now teeters on the precipice of uncertainty due to the residents’ opposition. The ambitious project details the construction of a diversion barrage, an access road…
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PM2.5 dust particles return due to season change in Bangkok
Bangkok is currently grappling with the return of PM2.5 dust particles, predominantly due to the transition from the rainy season to the colder months. Rising atmospheric pressure and stagnant air contribute to the accumulation of these particles. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported today, that the PM2.5 situation in Bangkok and surrounding…
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Chinese corporations eye investment in Thai green economy
Chinese corporations have expressed their intent to invest in Thailand’s green economy and development projects, renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and transportation infrastructure, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The Chinese investment announcement came after discussions between PM Srettha and Chinese business executives at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing. The 61 year old…
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Thai court halts government’s wind power purchase scheme over selection irregularities
The Central Administrative Court‘s ruling to halt the government’s scheme to purchase 1,500 megawatts of wind power, on grounds of alleged irregularities in power plant selection, prompted the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to gear up for an appeal. The judgement came in response to Khon Kaen Wind 2 Co, a subsidiary of the SET-listed Energy Absolute (EA), who had voiced…
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Princess Maha’s urgent call for improved water management in Asia-Pacific
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific, has stressed the urgency of combating water scarcity and improving water management systems throughout the region. The Princess voiced her concerns during the Asia-Pacific World Food Day Observances at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Asia-Pacific headquarters in Bangkok. Her Majesty pointed out that approximately 2.5 billion…
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Phuket’s deep cleanup: 800 kilogrammes of marine waste netted in underwater mission
An underwater cleanup operation near Racha Noi Island, Phuket, yielded 800 kilogrammes of discarded fishing nets and other marine debris last Friday. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) organised the cleanup after local divers alerted them about the marine trash accumulating on an artificial reef in Ran Gai Bay. The debris posed a significant threat to marine wildlife…
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Ubon Ratchathani residents face health risks as stagnant floodwaters turn toxic
The residents of Ubon Ratchathani continue to struggle with rising water levels as the Ubonrat and Lampao dams contribute to the increasing floodwaters in northeast Thailand. They are grappling with stagnant water that has begun to spoil, leading to requests for medication to treat water-borne diseases and fever, intensifying the impact of Ubon Ratchathani flooding. Banjong Wongvien, a resident of…
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Mun River’s unstoppable rise breaches barriers, submerging Thai communities, forcing mass evacuations
The Mun River broke through its sandbag barriers, causing a massive flood that submerged several communities up to 2 metres deep. The river’s relentless rise forced the evacuation of 195 families, while over 400 others continue to live in their flooded homes. The Mun River’s powerful flow eroded its sandbag barriers today, previously installed by the army, the Department of…
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Torrential rains cause major disruption with flooded roads and railway lines in southern Thailand
The southern region of Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, home to Suranaree University of Technology and the 80th Anniversary Stadium, has been severely affected by the torrential rains over the past two days, causing the accumulated rainwater to total 26 centimetres. The torrential rains led to natural canals overflowing and flooding major roads and railway lines, causing significant inconvenience to the…
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Flood crisis in Thailand worsens, Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani hit hardest
Eleven provinces in Thailand continue to grapple with severe flood crisis, with Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani experiencing rising water levels, as of today. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has mobilised resources and personnel from various agencies to expedite flood relief operations. Heavy rainfall in the past has caused flooding across 35 provinces, affecting 52,290 households in 2,506…
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Dam-burst drama: Rising water levels have northern Thailand residents on the brink
The residents of Non Sawan, located in the area above the Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen Province, are preparing for rising water levels, as a deluge has filled the dam to capacity. The resulting flood is rapidly encroaching upon rice fields and homes, with predictions of imminent submersion. The current state of Non Sawan village, located in Ubonrat district, Khon…
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Electrical appliance industry sparks up: El Niño predicted to surge sales by 4-5%
The El Niño weather phenomenon could potentially stimulate a 4 to 5% rise in sales within the electrical appliance and electronics industry this year, with sales projected to elevate from 230 billion baht last year. Major electrical appliance distributors and leading retail chains noted growth in the market within the first nine months of the year. Despite the purchasing power…
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Ayutthaya builds dykes to protect homes amid rising Chao Phraya River levels
The fast-rising waters of the Chao Phraya River have led to the construction of dykes along its banks in the province of Ayutthaya. There is a growing concern that the swelling river may overflow, potentially flooding homes and historical landmarks. The Chao Phraya River’s rising levels are attributed to an increased water volume from upstream provinces. However, on Wednesday, it…
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