Environment News
Discover the latest Environment News in Thailand, providing comprehensive coverage on environmental issues, climate change solutions, and natural disasters in Thailand and the world. We bring compelling stories, investigate eco-friendly initiatives, and bring you closer to the rapidly evolving green landscape. Stay informed about Thailand’s efforts towards sustainable living, biodiversity conversation, and renewable energy promotion to better understand the world’s ecological challenges.
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Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
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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Si Racha grapples with severe flooding after torrential rains
Torrential rains have battered Si Racha, a district in the province of Chon Buri, causing widespread flooding and damage. The downpour, which lasted for hours, overwhelmed drainage systems and caused water levels to rise rapidly, inundating homes and submerging vehicles. The deluge struck at 10am today, catching many residents off-guard. Cars and motorcycles were seen partially submerged, and numerous electrical…
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Severe water shortage threatens Phi Phi Island businesses in Krabi
For more than two months residents of Phi Phi Island have been grappling with an intense water shortage, which has brought some business operations on the brink of temporary closure if the situation persists. Although Phi Phi Island is no stranger to water shortages, having experienced similar situations during peak tourist seasons in the past years, this occasion may affect…
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Phuket governor inspects aerator for canal odour control
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat recently examined the aerator installed in Klong Pak Bang, Kamla, as part of a broader effort to combat the unpleasant odour emanating from the canal. The governor’s visit took place over the weekend, joined by the likes of Phuket MP Chalermphong Saengdee, Advisor to the Governor of Phuket Province, Dr Somkid Chokong, and several local officials,…
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Chiang Mai ranks fourth in global air pollution as PM2.5 soars
Chiang Mai, along with several northern provinces of Thailand, today woke up to alarmingly high levels of PM2.5, ranking fourth in global air pollution. This report, provided by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), highlighted that 11 provinces were exposed to seriously harmful red-coded levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5). The measured pollution…
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Thailand unites for eco-friendly transformation of rice farming
A cohesive effort to revolutionise Thailand’s rice farming industry has been forged, with a collective aim to modernise traditional farming methods towards environmentally friendly practices. This initiative is targeted at preserving biodiversity and enhancing the overall ecosystem across the varied landscapes of the nation. This recent synergy saw the collaboration of governmental bodies, the public, private sector participants, and non-governmental…
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Thai farmers feeling the heat: Climate change threatens crop yields
Farmers in Thailand are facing a significant threat from climate change, with an alarming drop in crop yields predicted over the next seven decades. This growing crisis has prompted calls for the government to implement strategies to safeguard food security. Witsanu Attavanich, a lecturer in economics at Kasetsart University, is at the forefront of research into the impact of climate…
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Thai scientists find fossil-fuel pollution in Antarctica’s soil
Thai scientists have uncovered evidence of fossil-fuel pollution in the soil of Antarctica, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect the world’s most pristine environment. A research team, utilising the cutting-edge SR-FTIR microspectroscopy technique at the Thai Synchrotron National Lab in Nakhon Ratchasima, made the discovery in sediment samples collected from five sites across King George Island. Siwatt Pongpiachan, who…
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BGRIM to invest US$3.39m in Middle East’s energy market
A dominant player in the power industry, BGRIM disclosed its plans to infiltrate the Middle Eastern clean energy market, with an investment approaching US$3.39 million for a 40% stake in the independent power producer, ThreeEightSix Holdings Ltd. The company’s president, Harald Link, confirmed this strategic investment that focuses on commercial and industrial solar assets within the Gulf Cooperation Council region,…
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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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Chiang Mai battles with deteriorating air quality due to wildfires
Chiang Mai is currently grappling with deteriorating air quality caused by a surge in wildfires throughout the region. This concerning situation has positioned the province among cities with the most compromised air quality worldwide, as it contends with dense smog enveloping its downtown area daily for the past month. In a recent report by the Wildfire and Pollution Control Command…
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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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Heatwave havoc: DIT keeps close thermometer on Thai farming
The sweltering weather conditions currently sweeping across Thailand have prompted the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to closely monitor their impact on the country’s agricultural and livestock production. Despite the challenging weather and drought, DIT Director-General, Wattanasak Sur-iam, assured that the price of agricultural goods remains stable. To alleviate the cost of living for consumers and restaurant owners, the DIT…
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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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Bangkok’s eastern flank gets a wetland forest for recreation
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is transforming an 86-rai plot of land situated on Bangkok’s eastern flank into a wetland forest, a green space designed to provide urban dwellers with fresh air and recreational facilities. This plot, found in the Bung Kum district, was previously recognised as Klong Lam Bung Kum. Its initial purpose was to act as a floodwater-retention…
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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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Thai firms jointly build waste-to-energy power facilities
A strategic alliance has been formed between local power and waste management firms to jointly finance and construct 12 waste-to-energy power facilities and three refuse-derived fuel production plants. This initiative is aimed at bolstering the country’s bio, circular, and green economic strategies. Supawat Khunvoravinij, who is currently serving as the acting managing director of Earth Tech Environment, a waste recycling…
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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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Thailand urged to increase renewable power target beyond 50%
A call for an increase in renewable power generation beyond the target of 50% outlined in the Power Development Plan (PDP) has been issued to the government. The PDP is due to be finalised in the second quarter of this year. This rise is essential since Thailand has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and…
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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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