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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Phuket to stage tsunami drill at Kamala Beach
Sun, surf… and sirens? Tourists and locals on Phuket’s Kamala Beach are set to witness a full-scale tsunami emergency drill as Thailand prepares for the worst with one of its biggest disaster response simulations to date. From June 24 to 27, the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) will take part in the Crisis Management Exercise: C-MEX…
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Thai coral recovery: over 60% of bleached reefs saved
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has successfully rescued over 60% of the coral affected by bleaching since last year. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director General of the DMCR, reported that since April last year, approximately 60-80% of coral in Thailand’s waters experienced bleaching. Of these, 60% have been successfully revived, while the remainder perished. The bleaching was attributed to…
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Phuket urges residents to save water as dry season drags on
As Phuket approaches the final leg of the dry season, the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) is ramping up calls for water conservation across the island. Marking Earth Day yesterday, April 22, the PWA issued a public plea urging residents to adopt mindful water-use habits and report any burst pipes immediately, reinforcing that every drop counts in the battle against dwindling…
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Vacuum cleaners and air purifiers controlled to combat PM2.5
To combat the dangers of PM2.5 pollution and protect consumers from inflated prices, the Thai Cabinet has officially classified vacuum cleaners and air purifiers as controlled goods. This new regulation follows a recommendation by the Ministry of Commerce, which highlighted the essential role these devices play in mitigating the effects of harmful air pollution in homes. According to Commerce Minister…
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Thailand’s sarus cranes arrive in Vietnam for conservation
In a monumental step for wildlife conservation, six sarus cranes have arrived in Vietnam as part of an ambitious project to save the endangered species. The cranes, flown in from Thailand, were welcomed at Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap province, Vietnam, on Sunday, April 20, marking the beginning of a significant reintroduction programme aimed at restoring the species…
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Dust levels at Chatuchak building site exceed safety limits
The Department of Health has reported that tests on the site of the collapsed SAO building show levels of heavy metals and asbestos within the normal range, but PM10 dust levels exceed standards, potentially requiring long-term monitoring. Yesterday, April 18, Dr Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, revealed that a team from SEhRT was…
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Phuket braces for floods as emergency pumps deployed
Phuket is battening down the hatches as officials race to prevent flash floods and landslides, with a massive emergency response underway across the island. With heavy rainfall already soaking parts of the province, the Phuket governor has issued an urgent directive to all district chiefs, local government leaders, and heads of government agencies to launch immediate preventative action. The warning…
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Trash island no more! Koh Larn’s rubbish crisis nears fiery end
A long-awaited solution to Koh Larn’s mountain of rubbish is finally on the horizon, and it’s going up in smoke. The waste incineration plant on the popular tourist island near Pattaya is now 70% complete and expected to be operational within six months, according to Kiatsak Sriwongchai, the permanent secretary of Pattaya City. Construction of the plant began on May…
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Soaked: Flash floods fury leaves Phuket in deep water
Phuket woke up underwater yesterday as torrential overnight downpours triggered flash floods, swamped roads and sparked fresh fears of landslides, turning paradise into panic. Parts of of the popular holiday resort resembled rivers rather than roads yesterday morning, April 15, after relentless rain pummelled the island overnight, flooding key areas and prompting landslide warnings across southern Thailand. Among the hardest-hit…
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Trash for cash: Bangkok offers bin discount for food waste sorting
Throwing out your leftovers could now save you money! Bangkok’s new sort and save scheme is giving households a reason to separate their scraps, with discounts on the horizon and rubbish fees on the rise. Bangkok residents in six districts are being offered a financial incentive to sort their waste as part of a new food scrap recycling initiative launching…
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Phuket faces water crisis as reservoirs run dry
Warning bells are ringing in Phuket as reservoir levels plunge and fears of severe drought grip the island. Officials scramble to prevent a looming water crisis before the taps run dry. Phuket chief Sophon Suwannarat and top provincial officials joined a high-level video conference on April 8 to strategise urgent drought mitigation measures. The session, chaired by Minister of Interior…
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Decomposed dugong found in Phuket likely died of natural causes
Marine officials reported that a dugong found ashore at Ban Ko En in Mai Khao, Phuket likely succumbed to natural causes linked to a chronic illness. The exact cause remains uncertain due to the advanced decomposition of the carcass. The female dugong, measuring 251 centimetres and weighing around 130 kilogrammes, was discovered on April 8, as confirmed by the Andaman…
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Pattaya mayor tackles water shortages with major projects
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet is taking bold steps to tackle the city’s water supply issues. With 12 major projects underway, residents can expect improved water distribution and transparency in the coming months. Mayor Poramet has ordered relevant agencies to gather detailed information on 12 ongoing water supply extension projects within Pattaya. The goal is to submit the information to the…
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Black leopard wonder: Feline spotted hunting in Kaeng Krachan
Tourists visiting Kaeng Krachan National Park were treated to an extraordinary spectacle when a rare black leopard was spotted preparing to hunt a southern spectacled langur. Mongkol Chaiyaphakdi, Chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, revealed the stunning image taken along the Khao Phanom Thung route at Kilometre 19. The black leopard, a critically endangered species, was calmly observing its prey…
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Warning: Sinkholes emerge in Mae Hong Son after earthquake
In a startling post-earthquake discovery, six sinkholes have appeared in Mae Hong Son’s Khun Yuam district, leaving locals on edge. The sudden appearance of these giant holes has prompted a warning from the Mineral Resources Regional Office 1, advising residents to exercise extreme caution. The sinkholes, which range in size from 2 to 30 metres in diameter, were first discovered…
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Sea tragedy: Dead dolphin found near Phuket sparks investigation
Locals were left shocked after a dead dolphin was discovered floating just off Koh Sirey, east of Phuket Town, late last night prompting marine biologists to launch an urgent investigation into the cause of death. At around 11pm, yesterday, April 2, rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation were alerted to the scene near Haad Silaphan by residents who spotted…
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Shaky ground: Thailand in world’s top 60 earthquake-hit countries
Thailand ranks 59th among the top 100 countries with the most earthquakes, recording 59 quakes so far this year, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 4.9. While the country may not be in the top 10, it still experiences a noticeable number of seismic events. According to earthquakelist.org, which uses data from the US Geological Survey and the European-Mediterranean…
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Pregnant woman saved from quake rubble in Myanmar
A story of hope for the family and friends of those trapped beneath the rubble of a Bangkok building emerged today from Myanmar’s capital, when a 63 year old woman was rescued 91 hours after she became trapped beneath the wreckage of her building. Emergency workers carefully extracted her after tirelessly digging through debris, marking one of the most extraordinary…
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Thailand book fairs return after Myanmar earthquake disruption
The Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) announced that the 53rd National Book Week and the 23rd International Book Week will resume as normal today, March 29, following a temporary closure due to an earthquake. The statement confirmed the reopening times from 10am to 9pm at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The earthquake, measuring 8.2 on the Richter…
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Earthquake panic: Over 100 evacuated from Pathum Thani hospital
An earthquake in Pathum Thani province caused noticeable tremors, particularly affecting high-rise buildings, including an 18-storey medical centre at Pathum Thani Hospital. The management and medical teams, along with rescue volunteers from Ruamkatanyu Foundation and Poh Teck Tung Foundation, swiftly evacuated over 100 people, including ICU patients and staff. Doctor Ninnat Mookdee, director of Pathum Thani Hospital, stated that while…
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Earthquake devastates Myanmar and shakes Bangkok to its core (video)
A monster 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar yesterday, March 28, unleashing a wave of destruction across the conflict-ravaged nation and sending deadly tremors as far as Bangkok, where a high-rise collapsed in a cloud of dust. At least 144 people were killed and over 730 injured in Myanmar, but military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing warned, “The death toll and…
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Bangkok tower collapses in deadly quake: 40 trapped in rubble
Over 40 people remained trapped inside a building which collapsed near Chatuchak Park in Bangkok this afternoon after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, Friday March 28. Police, government officials and emergency services, confirmed that 43 workers remain trapped inside the rubble. Seven workers managed to escape the disaster. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National…
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Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red. Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s…
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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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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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Gas tanker grounds at Koh Larn, company admits negligence
An LPG tanker has run aground on Koh Larn, sending locals and tourists into a panic. The company behind the vessel has now issued a statement admitting to negligence while assuring the public that no dangerous leaks occurred. The NP Bangpakong, an LPG tanker operated by SC Group Holding Co. Ltd., ran aground at Laem Wan, near Ta Waen Beach…
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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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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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