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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There’s no better way to experience Thailand than through its cuisine. In the rainy season, flavours bloom alongside the landscape, steam rises from market pots, the snap of chilli echoes through alleyways, and rain makes every bite more vivid. “I...
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Indonesia reassures no rice shortage despite retail restrictions
The Indonesian government affirmed today that there is no shortage in the country’s rice stocks, despite increasing restrictions on sales in mini markets and supermarkets that have been in place since the close of 2023. Arief Prasetyo Adi, the Head of the National Food Agency (NFA), made this assurance following a coordination meeting with the president. He also highlighted the…
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Thailand’s BAAC plans to acquire 510,000 tonnes of carbon credits
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) seeks to acquire 510,000 tonnes of carbon credits over the next five years, according to Chatchai Sirilai, the bank’s president. This move aligns with Thailand’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and its net-zero target, which aims to equalize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and absorption by 2065. Chatchai revealed that the…
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Commerce Ministry plans to expand GI product list to boost sales
Aiming to boost sales from geographical indication (GI) products to 60 billion baht (US$1.6 billion) by 2024, the Commerce Ministry is set to expand the GI product list by an additional 20 items this year. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang highlighted the plan as a strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. By utilising GI as a tool,…
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Controversy over new water tunnel network plan in Kanchanaburi’s wildlife sanctuary
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) have come under scrutiny for their plan to build a new water tunnel network in the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi. The project, designed to combat summer droughts, has sparked concerns among local conservationists due to its potential impact on the local ecosystem. The RID justifies…
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BioThai urges caution over EU’s eased restrictions on gene-editing crops
BioThai, a leading environmental organisation, called for the Thai government to tread carefully in the wake of the European Parliament’s decision to ease restrictions on gene-editing crops, also known as new genomic techniques (NGTs). The European Parliament’s decision was made on February 7 and was accompanied by stringent regulations. After a vote of 307 in favour and 263 against, the…
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West Thailand: Massive operation to save forests from devastating blaze
More than 250 firefighters from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) have been deployed to the western forest complex to combat raging fires. With a whopping 1,600 hectares of forest already devastated, these brave souls are working tirelessly to prevent further destruction. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) issued alarming warnings regarding the threat…
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The realities of PM2.5 in Thailand revealed by ‘Check Dust’
Thailand is facing a grave environmental crisis as PM 2.5 levels soar to dangerous heights, threatening the health of millions. The Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), in partnership with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and other relevant bodies, took decisive action to combat this escalating threat. The Check Dust application, utilising cutting-edge…
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Thai industrial authority partners with Japanese firms for green utility project
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is collaborating with Japanese firms, IHI Corporation and IHI Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co, on a green utility project at the Smart Park Industrial Estate in Rayong. The initiative, aimed at encouraging eco-considerate manufacturing, will involve a feasibility study on the development of renewable energy and green infrastructure. The study marks the first phase…
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Thailand suffers hazardous ultrafine dust levels in 48 provinces
Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust were recorded in 48 of Thailand’s 77 provinces this morning, with the northeast of the country being the most affected. This data was confirmed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). GISTDA’s 10am readings revealed that 13 provinces were under the harmful influence of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5).…
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Making waves: Phuket water projects dive deep into billion-baht territory
The Phuket Provincial Water Resources Subcommittee delved into water projects exceeding 1 billion baht yesterday and made quite a splash. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall and chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksombun, saw a flood of attendees from various government agencies. The discussion navigated through the island’s rainfall patterns, water levels in its three main reservoirs, water…
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Thai activists call for ban on hazardous PFAS in textile industry
Calls for the prohibition of Per-and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), perilous chemicals found in the textile industry and other goods, have been made by activists. The campaigners argue that such a ban would generate awareness amongst customers who require environmentally friendly products for their health and the welfare of our planet. Thitikorn Boontongmai, Ecological Alert and Recover-Thailand (Earth) Planning Manager, highlighted…
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Ancient dinosaur fossils discovered in Khon Kaen
Dinosaur fossils, estimated to be between 100 million to 110 million years old, have been unearthed in the Nam Phong district of Khon Kaen. The fossils, thought to be from the sauropod and spinosaurid species, were discovered by a team from the Department of Mineral Resources, led by Sasa-On Khansubha, a palaeontologist from the Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum. The initial investigation…
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Authorities takes action to curb urban macaques in Lop Buri
In a bid to tackle the escalating monkey mayhem in Lop Buri, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) teamed up with local authorities, unleashing a joint effort aimed at disciplining, relocating, and sterilising the troublesome urban macaques. The historic Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Mueang district has become a battleground for the bustling macaque population,…
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Pattaya Mayor saves buffaloes from the slaughter for the blind
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngamphichet donated 30,000 baht to the Thai Association of the Blind to rescue two buffaloes from the brink of slaughter. In an initiative unveiled on Monday, Mayor Poramet’s collaborative effort with city officials aims to provide a lifeline for visually impaired individuals in Uthai Thani Province. The funds gathered through a charity event and contributions from dedicated…
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Green sanctuaries: Exploring Suan Suk Jai Park in Bangkok
Suan Suk Jai Park is part of over 100 community green spaces established under the 15-minute Pocket Park campaign helmed by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The 15-Minute Pocket Park initiative, introduced in 2022, is among Chadchart’s strategies to address environmental issues by increasing green public spaces throughout the city. A 49 year old local, Kantika Kongglom, frequents Suan Suk Jai,…
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Hazardous air pollution hits Bangkok and Thai provinces
Bangkok and 11 other provinces in Thailand are currently grappling with hazardous air quality levels, exacerbated by PM2.5 particulate matter exceeding standard thresholds. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, alongside the National Research Council of Thailand, the Pollution Control Department, Kasetsart University, and Chiang Mai University, are monitoring…
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Dugongs’ dinner dilemma: Seagrass vanishing act sparks fears for marine giants
The disappearance of vital seagrass in the southern province of Trang has marine scientists and conservationists on high alert. The dwindling seagrass, a key food source for dugongs, has raised concerns over the fate of these gentle sea mammals. Seagrass, the culinary delight of dugongs, is vanishing at an alarming rate from the pristine seas off Thailand’s southern province of…
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Jaws drop in Huay Yai Village as 2-metre crocodile sunbathes by fishing pond
A 2-metre long crocodile weighing 30 kilogrammes sent villagers in Huay Yai Village, East Pattaya into panic as it casually sunbathed by Taklom Fishing Pond on Sunday, February 4. Locals and news crews flocked to capture the unexpected visitor on video, showcasing the reptile’s playful antics and its remarkable evasive skills during capture attempts. The owner of Taklom Fishing Pond,…
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Red Sea attacks reshape global oil market towards regionalisation
The global oil market is becoming increasingly regionalised due to militant attacks in the Red Sea and skyrocketing freight rates making more local supplies desirable. A decrease in tanker traffic through the Suez Canal is encouraging a divide, with one trading area centred around the Atlantic Basin, including the North Sea and the Mediterranean, and another focused on the Persian…
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Thailand could curb climate change impact with forest expansion
The severe consequences of climate change could potentially be curbed in Thailand by the expansion of forest coverage on unused lands, asserted a water expert. Royon Jitdon, who provides advice to the Hydro-Informatics Institute under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, expressed confidence in the climate change mitigation capabilities of forest plantations, particularly in terms of reducing…
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Thai PM Srettha and Cambodian PM engage in talks over air pollution crisis
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared his intention to engage in a crucial dialogue with Cambodian leader Hun Manet to tackle the alarming surge of transboundary air pollution. PM Srettha, expressing concern, revealed that a look at the satellite map shows that most of the relevant hotspots are in Cambodia, and the wind is blowing from the east. The MODIS satellite,…
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Monkey mayhem: Tails of mischief make headlines worldwide
Recent incidents of monkey attacks have been in the headlines recently in several countries, featuring long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques in Thailand, Japanese macaques in Japan, and Hanuman langurs in India. While these incidents might paint monkeys as villains, the root cause is a phenomenon called over-habituation. Devil monkeys are born when animals lose their fear of humans due to over-habituation,…
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Water pistol standoff and UFO jellyfish take top honours in wildlife photo competition
A young girl pointing a water pistol at a monkey and a celestial squadron of jellyfish saucers have clinched top prizes at the 50th European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The captivating collection, featuring mischievous animals and breathtaking landscapes, drew over 1,000 entries from professionals spanning 36 countries, overwhelming judges with a staggering 19,000 submissions. Organised by the German Society for…
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Thailand PM2.5 air pollution discussed at global summit
In a historic first for the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO), Thailand played host to the Role and Fate of Forest Ecosystems in a Changing World conference, where the PM2.5 situation was discussed. Over 80 experts from across the globe converged at King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) to unpack the dire implications of air pollution and…
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West Thailand: Newly discovered black-and-white striped snake lurks in Khao Krachom
On the treacherous slopes of Khao Krachom in Thailand, a slithering menace lurked in the shadows, its brightly coloured stripes tempting fate. Unbeknownst to the fearless adventurers, this 3-foot-long creature turned out to be a sinister surprise: a newly unearthed species, now named Bungarus sagittatus, the barbed arrow krait. Scientists, daring the dangers of the elusive creature, uncovered the venomous…
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Scientists at Mahidol University link PM2.5 exposure to onset of osteoporosis
A team of scientists from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Science, focusing on osteoporosis, recently discovered a potential link between fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and the onset of osteoporosis. They observed that lab rats exposed to PM2.5 developed bone inflammation, leading to an increase in bone-degrading cells called osteoclasts. The research, carried out by the Centre of…
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Thailand’s NSM Foundation uncovers five unique insect and one plant species
The National Science Museum (NSM) Foundation in Thailand recently uncovered five unique insect species and a novel plant species, bolstering the nation’s strides in the arena of scientific discovery. The revelation was made public by NSM President, Assistant Professor Rawin Raviwongse, last Wednesday. The insect species discovered encompass three distinct earwig species, namely Mongolabis chiangmaiensis Nishikawa & Jaitrong, 2023; Mongolabis…
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Significant drop in forest fires in Chiang Mai and northern region
Protected Areas Regional Office 16 Director Kritsayam Kongsatree revealed an unprecedented 79% drop in blazes across Chiang Mai and its northern neighbours. Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) Chief Kritsayam manages a colossal 7.8 million rai encompassing 19 forests in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. His proactive patrolling initiatives have slashed the number of hotspots from the ominous…
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Bangkok battles severe PM2.5 pollution, health warnings issued
Bangkok and several provinces across Thailand are currently grappling with dangerously high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter, exceeding standard pollution values and posing a significant health risk. Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district recorded the highest levels, urging the public to wear masks outdoors at all times for protection. The situation monitored hourly, is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Higher…
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Thailand’s Land Bridge project eyed for boosting economy amid local concerns
Thailand’s Land Bridge project, a major infrastructure initiative resembling a proposed shortcut through Southeast Asia, dominated the recent mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong. Residents expressed apprehensions to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, highlighting potential environmental damage and disruptions to their lifestyle. In the face of forecasted stagnant GDP growth, the government views the Land Bridge project as a promising solution for…
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