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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Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Severe drought hits Uthai Thani, farms and buffalos at risk
Thailand’s Uthai Thani province is grappling with its most severe drought in decades, with temperatures soaring between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius and a prolonged absence of rain. The drought has reached a critical point, affecting several districts and causing a widespread scarcity of water for both consumption and agricultural use. The situation has escalated to the point where it…
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Phuket tourism industry hit by escalating water shortage
Phuket‘s tourism sector is grappling with an escalating water shortage crisis, as hotel operators face rising costs due to the scarcity. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, the Phuket Tourist Association President, yesterday, May 1, called on the government for a sustainable solution to the annual water deficits. He cited that the primary reservoirs, Bang Wad, Klong Kata, and Bang Neow Dum, are currently…
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Ayutthaya chemical fire leads to Phachi Hospital shutdown
A chemical warehouse fire in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province caused widespread chaos, leading to the temporary closure of Phachi Hospital and the establishment of an emergency field hospital and evacuation centre. The fire, which was brought under control at 10pm yesterday, May 1, forced locals to flee their homes and seek temporary shelter. The fire broke out in a…
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Thailand’s eastern corridor factories prepared for drought season
Factories within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) are poised to weather an impending drought season, thanks to preventative measures undertaken by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). The EEC, which encompasses sections of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao, is home to 41 industrial estates and 6,000 factories, and the daily demand for water across these establishments amounts to 1.5…
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Drought dries up Buriram: 300 Thai households forced to buy water
The protracted drought in Thailand has precipitated a water crisis in Mueang district, Buriram, compelling approximately 300 households across three villages to resort to purchasing water. The scarcity of water is attributed to the drying up of the area’s groundwater, which these villages heavily depend on, given that they are not linked to the local water pipelines. The impacted villages…
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Hazardous waste begins journey from Bangkok to Tak landfill
The initial batch of hazardous waste, illicitly relocated from a landfill in Tak, began its journey back yesterday, with the complete transfer set to be accomplished by June, disclosed an insider at the Industry Ministry. The insider reported that the inaugural batch of cadmium and zinc tailings, comprising 270 tonnes out of the 13,000 tonnes discovered by the authorities at…
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Stormy skies ahead: TMD forecast predicts May rainy season start
Thailand’s rainy season is anticipated to start the last week of May this year, according to the latest forecast by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). The announcement came with a cautious note that initial rains will be scarce, improving as the season progresses into June and July. Despite the slow start, the TMD remains hopeful that the overall rainfall…
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Thailand’s coral reefs face grim future due to climate change
Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a veteran marine biologist with almost four decades of experience, is deeply troubled by the disturbing changes occurring in Thailand’s coral reefs He has voiced his shock and dismay at the unusual and alarming characteristics now displayed by the reefs, describing the current conditions as the most severe he has witnessed. Thon, a professor in the Department of…
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Residents left high and dry as water levels drop in Thai reservoir
A severe drop in water levels at the Lam Takhong Reservoir and Lam Mun River in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, is causing concern for residents. The primary water sources in the region are suffering due to drought and extreme heat, leading to fears of water shortages. Lam Takhong, one of the four main reservoirs in Nakhon Ratchasima, currently holds only 111.25…
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German tourist fined 1,000 baht for parking SUV on Phuket Beach
A German tourist found himself in hot water after his Bangkok-registered Ford Everest SUV was caught sand-handed on Ley Phang Beach, Phuket. The vehicle, owned by a man known only as Simoen, was seized by authorities following reports circulated on social media and he was fined 1,000 baht. When Cherng Talay Police arrived at the scene, they found the SUV…
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Thailand’s record-breaking electricity usage heats up weekend
A record-breaking increase in electricity usage was registered in Thailand over the weekend as the nation grappled with soaring temperatures. The Ministry of Energy confirmed late Saturday that power demand peaked at 36,356 megawatts, surpassing the previous record set on Monday, April 22. Extreme heat has been particularly severe in the country’s northern and northeastern regions. The Meteorological Department of…
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Thailand’s hazardous waste crisis prompts law enforcement calls
Serious fires at hazardous waste storage facilities in Rayong and Ayutthaya, coupled with the illegal smuggling of cadmium tailings from Tak to numerous Thai provinces, have brought the issue of waste management into sharp focus in Thailand. With a shocking 36 million tonnes of hazardous waste produced annually, as reported by the Department of Pollution Control, concerns are increasing over…
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Chiang Dao wildlife sanctuary closed due to man-made hotspots
The Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai province has been indefinitely shut down by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. The decision comes in the wake of the discovery of several man-made hotspots in areas of key ecological importance. The department’s chief, Attapol Charoenchansa, announced the measure as an immediate response to the pressing issues of…
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Rayong hazardous waste plant sees another fire
A hazardous waste storage plant in Rayong, owned by Win Process, witnessed another fire incident on Wednesday night. The surrounding area was found to have high concentrations of dangerous chemicals in the air, reported the Thai authorities. The fire began at the Ban Nong Pawa village-based plant in Tambon Bang But of Rayong’s Ban Khai district and was yet to…
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UN report unveils Asia’s climate catastrophe
Asia, the world’s disaster epicentre, has been hit by an onslaught of climate chaos, reveals a damning United Nations report. Floods and storms reign supreme, leaving devastation in their wake, as the region grapples with scorching temperatures and melting glaciers. In a world heating to unprecedented levels, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) declares Asia as the frontline of the climate…
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Thailand’s heatwaves claims 30 lives so far
The Ministry of Public Health issued a warning about the dangers of Thailand’s heatwaves after 30 deaths were attributed to heatstroke this year. Medical professionals are advising the public to avoid prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and to take precautions against a potential spike in Covid-19 cases, particularly among vulnerable groups. With the temperature soaring, Thailand is grappling with the…
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Emergency water distribution in Hua Hin amidst drought concerns
To combat the severe drought gripping Hua Hin, Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul spearheaded a meeting with local government officials to discuss immediate relief and long-term fixes for the parched populace, especially in Khao Takiap. Joined by Deputy Mayor Atichat Chaisri and a cadre of civic bigwigs, the summit centred on the dwindling water levels at the Hua Na reservoir. These plummeting…
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Lop Buri’s growing macaque population to be relocated by DNP
An increasing macaque population has taken over downtown Lop Buri, prompting the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) to intervene. Athapol Charoenshunsa, the department chief, has unveiled plans to relocate these monkeys once their new holding facility is ready. Currently, an estimated 2,200 macaques are roaming freely within the city’s bounds, causing disruptions to local businesses and…
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Roar surprise: Endangered wild tiger spotted in Phetchaburi
Kaeng Krachan National Park, nestled in the district of Phetchaburi, reported the sighting of an endangered wild tiger, marking the sixth such discovery since 2019. The tiger, captured by a strategically placed camera trap, has been assigned the identifier KKT-006M. The images of the tiger were captured on March 24, March 31, and April 1. The camera trap showcased the…
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Khao Yai’s Haew Narok Waterfall dries amid Thailand drought
Khao Yai National Park‘s iconic Haew Narok Waterfall has run dry due to prolonged drought conditions, leaving tourists with alternative picturesque natural viewpoints to enjoy. Amid rising concerns from visitors about the state of the park’s waterfalls, the head of Khao Yai National Park, Chaiya Huai Hong Thong, confirmed the impact of the dry season on the water flow. Chaiya…
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Pattaya’s post-Songkran clean-up disposes 20 tonnes of trash
Pattaya witnessed a massive clean-up operation after the Wan Lai Day festivities, a grand culmination of the Songkran celebrations, left behind a staggering 20 tonnes of garbage. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai took to the city’s streets on the morning of April 20 to personally inspect the aftermath and to extend support to the Pattaya City Environment Office workers tasked…
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Himalayan giant honey bees spotted in Chiang Mai
Himalayan giant honey bees have been spotted in Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, Chiang Mai province, a first-time occurrence, evidencing that the nation’s ecological system is ideal for unique species. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, together with a team of biology researchers from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Sciences, made the announcement yesterday. The unexpected discovery…
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BYD electric bus charges Thong Lo roads in Bangkok
In a move towards eco-friendly commuting, BYD, the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer from China, has unleashed its electric bus onto the bustling streets of Bangkok. Offering complimentary rides to commuters in the vibrant Thong Lo area until April 30, this trial run marks a pivotal moment in Thailand’s transportation landscape. Under the auspices of Rever Commercial Vehicles Ltd, the…
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Phuket launches free electric bus to drive sustainable tourism
Phuket is gearing up for a greener future with the launch of a free air-conditioned electric bus service in the heart of the city. Scheduled to accelerate on May 9, this eco-friendly initiative is driven by a collaboration between local companies under the banner of PKCD and the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation. The announcement for the 22-seat Smart Bus EV…
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Phuket Airport rescue department tackles local fires
Phuket International Airport’s Fire and Rescue Department was summoned to tackle two challenging fires in the nearby areas yesterday. The areas affected included an abandoned section opposite Thalang Technical College and Baan Mak Prok locality in Mai Khao. Both fires had rapidly spread across extensive plots of land, posing a considerable challenge to the firefighters. However, the airport rescue personnel,…
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Bangkok aims to reduce plastic use with more water refill stations
To combat plastic pollution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Bottle Free Seas project has proven to be a roaring success, with plans now underway to expand its reach by installing an additional 200 drinking water refill points across the city. Launched last August, this eco-initiative has already made a significant dent in plastic bottle consumption, slashing the usage of a…
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Dugongs forced to flee as seagrass vanishes in Thai waters
The warming waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are wreaking havoc on marine life, leaving dugongs desperate for food. Described as “steamed” grass, the disappearance of seagrass which serves as the primary diet of these gentle mammals, is pushing them out of their natural habitats. According to Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, vice dean of the Faculty of…
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Phuket’s reservoirs promise adequate water supply until rains
Phuket‘s three primary reservoirs are sufficiently water-filled to ensure the island’s inhabitants have enough water until the annual rains due next month, confirmed Krirksak Leenanon, the Chief of Phuket Irrigation Office. Currently, Bang Wad Reservoir, located in Kathu, holds 2.12 million cubic metres of water, indicating it is 20% full. Meanwhile, Bang Neow Dum Reservoir, situated in Srisoonthorn, is 45%…
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Revving up: Rever Leasing to drive BYD EV financing in Thailand
Rever Leasing, a vehicle finance subsidiary of Rever Automotive Co, the exclusive distributor for BYD electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand, is set to launch operations next month. The firm has set a high target to become the top electric vehicle loan provider in Thailand within the next few years. Isara Wongrung, the CEO of Rever Leasing, expressed confidence in the…
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Relocation of cadmium tailings from Bangkok commences May 7
The logistics of relocating cadmium tailings from Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, and Chon Buri back to their original location in Tak is set to start on May 7. Bound & Beyond Plc, the company responsible for the task, has a deadline of 36 days to execute the operation, as stated by Pimphattra Wichaikul, the Industry Minister. Pimphattra revealed yesterday that the…
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