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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Climate crisis: Thailand promises to cut carbon emissions by 40%
Thailand has pledged a whopping 40% cut in carbon emissions, up from its initial 30%, following the resounding success of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. At a riveting COP28 debriefing event yesterday, December 20, Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Chief of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, declared that a serious study based on social, environmental, and…
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Resort creates stunning Christmas tree from recycled plastic
OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort has not only decked the halls but has also adorned its lobby with an extraordinary Christmas tree that’s more than just glitter and baubles. Step into a world where environmental responsibility meets festive flair, as this luxury resort in the heart of paradise unveils a sustainable masterpiece that’s turning heads and sparking conversations. Embracing the…
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Northern Thailand: Endangered red-headed vulture lays egg in sanctuary in Uthai Thani
A significant milestone has been reached in Thailand‘s conservation efforts with the laying of an egg by a critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, Uthai Thani. The exciting development was announced on social media by Ornyupa Sangkamarn, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, who remains hopeful about the egg’s fertility and successful hatching. The…
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Eco-friendly e-pedicabs revolutionise Vientiane’s transport scene
In a groundbreaking move towards a greener, quieter Vientiane, the Laos-Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project has unveiled an innovative non-motorised initiative set to transform the city centre. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s Department of Transport, the project aims to combat air and noise pollution. Introducing a novel addition to the bustling streets of Vientiane, the project…
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West Thailand: Tiger cubs spotted in secret jungle hideout
Hidden cameras deep within Kanchanaburi‘s Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary have snapped jaw-dropping photos of two tiger cubs. Trail cameras, strategically placed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, recently struck gold, capturing never-before-seen snapshots of the tiger cubs on August 3. These heart-melting images reveal the untamed beauty of nature’s fiercest felines. Officials from the Department collaborated with…
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Thailand braces for cold weather and heavy rain: A warning from Thai Meteorological Department
The Thai Meteorological Department, via their Facebook fan page, has issued a warning of cold weather across the country, heavy to very heavy rain in the south, and strong sea waves in the Gulf of Thailand. The weather changes are expected to occur tomorrow from December 20 to 25. A high-pressure system, or a mass of cold air from China,…
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Thailand outlines cloud first policy to become Southeast Asia’s AI hub
As part of its vision to become Southeast Asia’s artificial intelligence (AI) hub by 2027, Thailand is strategising to attract more foreign technology investment in cloud data centres. The country’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister, Prasert Jantanaruangthong, has outlined a plan to achieve this aim through a cloud-first policy. This policy emphasises public usage of a single digital ID…
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Successful rainmaking operations drastically reduce Bangkok’s pollution levels
Pollution levels across Bangkok and neighbouring areas nosedived yesterday as a result of successful rainmaking operations carried out east of the capital. The operations saw a significant reduction in the concentration of ultra-fine pollutants in the air, bringing it back within the safety threshold. Supis Pitakham, the director-general of the Department of Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, confirmed that the cloud-seeding…
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Fine dust pollution spikes across Thailand, Bangkok plans tree-planting pilot
Intensified fine dust pollution has led to heightened levels of fine particulate matter under 2.5 microns, known as PM2.5, in 30 provinces across Thailand, including Bangkok. This development was recorded yesterday through the satellite-based Check Foon application, developed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Samut Songkhram experienced the highest dust level, peaking at 84.1 microgrammes per cubic…
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Dangerous blue-ringed octopus found in seafood in Thailand
Seafood enthusiasts are urged to exercise caution as instances of the dangerous blue-ringed octopus found in food have been increasing, whether in barbecue restaurants, skewers prepared for grilling, or even sushi. But why is this particular species a cause for concern? Let’s delve into the interesting yet perilous world of the blue-ringed octopus, a creature that is 20 times more…
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Electric dreams charge ahead: Aiming for a ‘shocking’ 359,000 EVs in the next year
Aiming for a substantial boost in their electric vehicle (EV) production, Thai authorities have set a target of 359,000 units for the coming year. This ambitious plan is supported by a 39.5 billion baht investment, as confirmed by industry insiders. The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) is optimistic that the state’s EV policy, coupled with incentives for investment, will lead…
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Geminids meteor shower to light up the sky
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has extended an invitation to Thai citizens to witness the Geminids meteor shower, commonly known as the Gemini Twins meteor shower, which will peak tonight December 14, continuing into the early hours of tomorrow. The spectacle can be observed from around 8pm onwards, with an expected peak frequency after midnight of approximately…
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Thai youth unite to battle climate change and violence against children
Young minds from all corners of Thailand recently converged in Bangkok to unveil General Comment No. 26 (GC26), a global manifesto championing children’s rights and environmental protection. The event, Child Safe & Friendly Environment – Ending Violence Against Children: Environmental Safety, orchestrated by the Thai Child Rights Network in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, UNICEF…
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Bangkok struggles with escalating PM2.5 levels: urgent government intervention needed
Bangkok is grappling with a severe rise in PM2.5 levels, necessitating immediate intervention from the government. Nearly 29 of the city’s 50 districts have recorded PM2.5 concentrations surpassing 35 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), making the air unfit for breathing. The districts with the highest PM2.5 concentrations include Bangkok Yai (105.1μg/m3), Thonburi (104.8μg/m3), Nong Khaem (103.7μg/m3), Khlong San (100.6μg/m3), and…
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Thailand sees improvement in air quality despite high PM2.5 levels
A sharp decline in air quality was observed across 33 provinces of Thailand this morning as dangerously high levels of ultrafine dust posed health risks. This, however, was an improvement from yesterday morning, when air pollution blanketed 47 provinces. The peak pollution level also saw a drop. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTADA) revealed this morning that five…
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Thailand’s Central Plain faces escalating smog crisis with soaring PM2.5 levels
Thailand’s Central Plain is grappling with an increasing smog crisis, as PM2.5 dust levels surged to a staggering 134.8 micrograms per cubic metre of air on Tuesday morning, a significant jump from Monday’s reading of 96.6µg/m³, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported. This morning, December 12, saw 15 provinces in the Central Plain, inclusive of Greater Bangkok,…
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Ultrafine dust blankets 50 Thai provinces posing serious health risks
Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust engulfed 50 Thai provinces today, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Central Plains and the Mortheast were the hardest hit regions. GISTDA’s 7am update on its website PM25.gistda.or.th today, December 11, highlighted that mostly central plains and northeastern provinces were among the 50 out of 77 provinces cloaked in…
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Plastic predicament: Thailand faces a ton(ne) of trouble with a 62% surge in waste
Plastic waste in Thailand has witnessed a surge of 62%, escalating from 2.12 million tonnes in 2019 to 3.4 million tonnes in 2020, according to the Thailand Environment Institute. This increase has been largely attributed to lifestyle changes induced by the pandemic, such as an increased reliance on food delivery services. The Prayut Chan-o-cha government initiated a policy in 2018…
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Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang park kicks off nesting season with 118 turtle eggs
The latest nesting season in Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park, Thai Mueang district, kicked off with the discovery of 118 leatherback turtle eggs. The eggs were spotted yesterday, December 8, by park officials during their patrol on the beach for signs of a leatherback turtle, locally known as Tao Mafueng, breeding site. Prarop Plaengngan, the park’s chief, recounted the…
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Global carbon countdown: Is the world doomed? Shocking revelations from climate talk
At the Thai-German conference Climate Talk in Bangkok, Germany’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Ernst Reichel, warns that the world is perilously behind in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. As countries grapple with the devastating consequences of climate change, a fossil fuel ban emerges as a contentious issue during Climate Talk, creating challenges for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)…
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Trunk trouble: Wild elephant herd creates chaos in Prachin Buri farmlands
In the heart of Prachin Buri, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict located in the Kabin Buri district, a herd of over 100 wild elephants emerged from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, wreaking havoc on local farming land. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) swiftly took action, initiating an operation to usher the elephants back into their natural…
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Escalating monkey population in Phetchaburi prompts collaborative resolution
The escalating monkey population in Phetchaburi has led to a collaboration between the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) and residents to address the issue. Edwin Week, secretary of the Wildlife Friends Foundation, Suraphon Nakhon Nakhon, President of Phetchaburi Future Organization, and a veterinarian from the DNP, along with monks and locals affected by the problem, gathered for…
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Thailand’s interior minister unveils strategies to combat air pollution
The Secretary to Thailand’s Minister of the Interior, Traisulee Traisanakul, unveiled strategies to counteract forest fires, smog, and PM 2.5 smoke yesterday, December 6. These policies came as an initiative from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and were addressed to provincial governors. Every year, during the cold and drought season, Thailand grapples with air pollution…
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Thailand’s clean air bill targets PM2.5 dust menace
Thailand’s Cabinet has given preliminary approval to the Clean Air Bill, a bold initiative designed to combat the annual scourge of PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. This is a major move that gives authorities the necessary tools to manage sources of air pollutants effectively, particularly the minuscule dust particles that become a significant issue in the country each cool season. The Clean…
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Young clinician’s tragic death raises questions on Thai air pollution
The problem of PM 2.5 Thai air pollution has been highlighted by the unfortunate case of 28 year old Kritthai Tansombatitkul, a clinician and statistician at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, who passed away from late-stage lung cancer. Despite living a healthy lifestyle and not smoking, he was diagnosed with the disease at a young age, leading many…
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BCPG to divest its nine solar farms in Japan for strategic reinvestment
BCPG Plc, Bangchak Group’s power generation subsidiary, is planning to divest all its nine solar farms in Japan, in a strategic move to revamp its long-term investment in renewable energy. The assets on sale include equity worth 6.93 billion baht and net debt totalling 3.44 billion baht. The company has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Danish renewable energy…
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Thai government approves 8 billion baht scheme to tackle PM2.5 pollution
To mitigate the escalating PM2.5 pollution problem, the government recently approved a scheme worth 8 billion baht designed to incentivise sugarcane farmers to modify their harvesting methods. The initiative, which is set to be implemented in the 2022/23 harvest year, encourages farmers to cut fresh sugarcane without burning the residue, a practice known to be a significant contributor to the…
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Thailand poised to become regional hub for electric vehicle production
Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a potential regional centre for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, bolstered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s confidence and support. This sentiment was shared with the public on December 1 by the Government Spokesperson, Chai Watcharong. PM Srettha has reportedly been working closely with various agencies to encourage and aid international private entities, particularly those…
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Are bread krathongs harming Bangkok’s public park ponds?
Environmental advisor to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Pornporm Wikitsate, exposed the negative impacts of biodegradable Krathongs on public park ponds after the recent Loy Krathong Festival. The public, in a bid to reduce waste and protect the environment, had opted to float Krathongs made from bread. However, the aftermath was not as environmentally friendly as anticipated. Pornporm questioned whether bread…
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Significant earthquake in Mindanao Philippines triggers tsunami warning but spares Thailand
The Philippines experienced a significant earthquake near the island of Mindanao, triggering a tsunami warning. The quake, measuring 7.5 in magnitude, didn’t affect Thailand, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Japan also issued a tsunami warning in response to the seismic activity occurring on December 3. At 9.57pm yesterday, December 2, the TMD stated the earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines.…
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