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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Bangkok braces for rising pollution as air quality worsens
Bangkok’s air quality has significantly deteriorated, with 28 areas submerged in PM2.5 dust particles. Officials issued warnings, anticipating a spike in pollution levels between this Sunday, November 17 and next Tuesday, November 19. Residents are advised to take precautions to protect their health. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported on the air quality status in Bangkok and its surrounding areas,…
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Pattaya breathes easy: Beach paradise takes fresh air steps
Pattaya, Thailand’s renowned beachside hotspot, is upping its game beyond tourism, making strides to keep the city’s air fresh and clean. With its sandy beaches and buzzing nightlife, Pattaya attracts droves of visitors each year. Now, city officials are ensuring that visitors and residents alike can breathe easy by prioritising air quality. In a bid to tackle pollution head-on, the…
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Spring surprise: Flooding ‘washes out’ Chiang Mai roads (video)
Water springs in Mueang Na, Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai have been causing unusual flooding, leading to road closures. Normally dry for six months, these springs have continuously flowed, affecting multiple areas simultaneously and disrupting local transport. A TikTok user, under the account @j_khamsan, shared videos highlighting the strange phenomenon of multiple water springs in Mueang Na, Chiang Dao district, Chiang…
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Phuket residents alarmed by sudden worm invasion
Residents of the Phuket Villa 3 housing estate in Wichit found themselves in disarray yesterday when a staggering swarm of “norn pradu” worms descended upon their community. The unexpected invasion left the public park and its surroundings teeming with these small creatures, causing significant distress among the locals. These worms, measuring roughly 2 to 3 centimetres in length, quickly spread…
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Phuket’s waste crisis escalates: Larger landfills urgently needed
Phuket is battling a mounting waste crisis as the island’s landfills struggle to keep up with booming tourism and business expansion. Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet is spearheading urgent efforts to contain the overflow, making a high-stakes visit to Saphan Hin’s landfill sites 4 and 5 on Monday, November 11 to fast-track expansion projects. Landfill 3 is already beyond capacity, with…
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Going bananas: Thailand’s creative crackdown on Hua Hin’s monkey mayhem
Innovative measures are underway in Thailand to address issues of monkey disturbances in the Hua Hin area, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), in collaboration with the Hua Hin Municipality, has launched a unique operation employing remote control traps to relocate monkeys from Khao Takiab and Khao Hin Lek Fai. The operation,…
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Dugong dilemma: Thailand’s gentle sea giants face extinction risk
Thailand’s beloved dugongs are in dire straits, prompting an urgent meeting by the National Policy and Planning Committee on Marine and Coastal Resources Management. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, the focus was squarely on the alarming rise in dugong deaths in recent weeks. With representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and the Department of Marine and…
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Bangkok air pollution spikes as 35 areas exceed safe PM2.5 levels
Bangkok faced a spike in PM2.5 pollution levels, with 35 areas registering unhealthy air quality, prompting swift action from City Hall. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued warnings to help residents mitigate health impacts from the pollutants. PM2.5, or ultra-fine dust particles, exceeded the safe threshold of 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in several areas, according to AirBKK, BMA’s…
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Thai company pumps millions into flooded schools
In a heartfelt mission to aid schools battered by Thailand’s recent floods, Theppadungporn Coconut pledged an impressive 10 million baht to support flood-stricken communities. Through its charitable Love Sharing project, the company is offering 200,000 baht per school to 50 institutions impacted by the devastating September-October floods, aiming to rebuild premises and reignite hope among students and staff. Chosen by…
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Hazardous e-waste seized near community in Nakhon Pathom
Thai police seized a significant quantity of hazardous electronic waste near a community in the central province of Nakhon Pathom, raising concerns about chemical contamination and pollution. Residents had complained about dust and water runoff from the factory, fearing environmental hazards. Police Colonel Arun Wachirasrikukanya, Deputy Commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, led a team of officers…
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Chon Buri bone of contention: Mystery skulls spark alarm
Residents of Chon Buri province were alarmed by the discovery of a large number of skulls and bones discarded in their area, raising concerns about the source and legality of the remains. The incident was reported yesterday, November 6, and locals have appealed for police to investigate the matter promptly. The unsettling discovery was made in Moo 3, Ban Suan…
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Dugong numbers in Andaman Sea may drop 70% in four years
Dugong populations in the Andaman Sea face a potential 70% decline within the next four years, primarily due to a shrinking supply of seagrass, their main food source. This alarming prediction was made by a marine biologist, emphasising the urgent need for conservation efforts to save this vulnerable marine mammal. Thon Thamrongnawasawat highlighted the crisis in seagrass reserves, stressing the…
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UNESCO Thai heritage site threatened by reservoir projects: Probe
Environmentalists are urging a House committee to investigate two reservoir construction projects that they fear may threaten the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex in Nakhon Ratchasima, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Klong Madue reservoir project in Nakhon Nayok and another near the forest complex have raised concerns among conservationists. Suthee Rattanamongkol, leading the Khao Yai Forest Conservation Network,…
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Purr-fect: Chubby clouded leopard charms all at Chiang Mai Safari (video)
A clouded leopard named Mangpor, residing in Chiang Mai Night Safari, has captured the hearts of social media users with its chubby appearance and playful nature. The 16 year old feline, often mistaken for a giant cat, has become an Internet sensation as visitors flock to catch a glimpse of its endearing antics. Mangpor is part of the Jaguar Trail,…
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Rare albino fish caught in Satun canal sparks ethical debate
A young man fishing along a canal in Satun province caught five fish but it was the last one that left him astonished. The unusual fish had an albino-like body shimmering in the sunlight, prompting questions about whether it should be kept or released into the wild. News emerged yesterday, November 4, of a young man who had set out to…
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Monitor lizards now open for commercial harvesting in Thailand
A bold new opportunity has emerged in the world of wildlife conservation and commerce: monitor lizards and two species of swiftlet birds have just been reclassified as protected species eligible for commercial farming. Thanks to a landmark move by Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Committee, Germain’s swiftlet (Aerodramus germani), Black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus), and monitor lizards can now be legally…
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Hundreds of Phuket families await relief as flood damage mounts
Phuket’s flood-stricken families are still waiting for disaster relief funds, as officials gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday, October 31 to address pending disbursements. The meeting, chaired by Vice Governor Adul Chuthong and attended by Sopon Thongsai, head of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket), reviewed the island’s slow-moving relief fund process. The gathering united…
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Thailand boosts climate resilience in coastal areas with UN grant
Thailand is actively enhancing its capacity to tackle the escalating threat of climate change, particularly in its marine and coastal areas. This initiative, a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is titled Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in Marine and Coastal Areas along the Gulf of Thailand, and is supported by a US$3 million (101.2 million baht)…
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Reservoir of worry: Nakhon Ratchasima braces for 2025 dry spell
Nakhon Ratchasima is currently facing a severe water crisis, with alarmingly low water levels in its reservoirs. Concerns are growing about potential water shortages for consumption and use in the dry season of 2025. The provincial governor urged residents to conserve water and may consider halting off-season rice farming. A meeting was held yesterday, October 30, at the new building…
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‘Fries’ for change: Waste Not, Want Not turns grease into green efforts
Surat Thani Municipality launched a notable initiative titled Waste Not, Want Not, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recycling used cooking oil. The project, in collaboration with the New Biodiesel Company, encourages residents to exchange used cooking oil for fresh Rin Tip brand oil. The agreement was signed yesterday, October 30, at Surat Thani Municipality’s conference room by Prachert…
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Phuket at the helm of Asia’s Urban Act initiative
Phuket has been handpicked as the focal point for the Urban Act initiative, an ambitious drive set to spearhead low-carbon, resilient urban growth across the Asia-Pacific. The announcement was unveiled at a meeting in Phuket Provincial Hall with Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Vice Governor Ronnarong Tipsiri among the key players present. The Urban Act Project, which kicked off in April…
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Thailand drones on: Flying tech to lift farmers’ fortunes
Thailand is ready to support the effort to boost farmer access to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, to improve the management of the nation’s agricultural land, Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong announced. Prasert made this commitment during a Senate meeting, responding to questions from Senator Premsak Piayura regarding the government’s strategies to enhance…
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EU Green Diplomacy Weeks in ASEAN 2024 kicks off with a fun run/walk and green action events
The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, officially kicked off the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The launch featured already 2nd edition of the dynamic five-kilometre fun walk and run titled “EU-ASEAN Green Transition for Sustainable Planet and More Positive Impact” (GET UP and MOVE). Around 500 participants took part, including representatives…
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Mekong River dams threaten Thailand’s environment and economy, warns NHRC
Transboundary hydropower dam projects along the Mekong River could jeopardise Thailand’s environment, economy, and community welfare, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on October 3, the NHRC highlighted its concerns about four hydropower dam projects: Ban Koum Dam, Sanakham Dam, Phou Ngoy Dam, and Pak Chom Dam, all situated…
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Thailand’s smog showdown: Clearing the air with a bold 30% cut
In a bid to wipe the smog off the map, Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) is gearing up for a 2024 blitz on air pollution, aiming to slash hotspots by a daring 30%. PCD Chief Preeyaporn Suwanaked held court at a buzzing press conference, revealing the National Environment Board’s stamp of approval on an ambitious blueprint to combat haze. This…
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New king cobra species discovered in Thailand (video)
New research has revealed four distinct species of king cobra, including a new variant found in Thailand. Nirut Chamngam, the head of the Herpetology Group, shared this discovery on social media, explaining the differences and implications of these findings. Nirut Chamngam, an expert in snakes and reptiles, posted on Facebook about a new species of king cobra. He clarified that…
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Rare Malayan tapir spotted near Thai-Malaysian border
A rare sighting of a Malayan tapir near the Thai-Malaysian border in Narathiwat province has caught the attention of Thai officials from the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. Local villagers alerted officials yesterday, October 18, after spotting the tapir on October 16 at around 7pm, feeding on fallen rambutans for about an hour before retreating towards the border. Residents in the Waeng…
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Get ready to sea it all: Trang opens for snorkeling with marine life
Trang province is now ready to welcome tourists to admire the stunning beauty of the sea at Lao Liang Island. Visitors can snorkel to see schools of anchovy swimming around coral reefs and spot dozens of clownfish among vibrant sea anemones, showcasing the richness of natural marine life. Anan Gingkoyao, also known as Bang Daad, a 36 year old local…
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Thailand and Laos spark cross-border renewable energy scheme
Thai officials are set to engage in discussions with the Laotian government to enhance the utilisation of renewable energy across borders, aiming to expedite the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The plan involves encouraging Thai businesses to purchase renewable power from Laos through a cross-border energy attribute certificate scheme, according to an official from the Energy Ministry who requested anonymity.…
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Powering on: Thailand energy plan sparks a 2.9 trillion baht boost
Thailand’s new National Energy Plan (NEP) aims to drive significant investment and promote clean energy, with a projected 2.9 trillion baht in capital spending over the next 13 years. Central to this initiative is the emphasis on solar energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The NEP 2024, scheduled for implementation from this year until 2037, integrates a comprehensive power development…
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