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 prepares for onset of cool season as northern front approaches
Thailand is bracing for a weather shift as a cool front from the north is set to lower temperatures starting tomorrow, signalling the onset of the cool season. This front, according to reports from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), was making its way over the region during the weekend, bringing with it strong winds. The shift in weather won’t be…
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Iberdrola highlights hydrogen’s commercialisation challenges despite its green potential
A green and abundant energy source for the future, hydrogen commercialisation is difficult without government subsidies, according to Iberdrola, the world’s third-largest private renewable electric utility provider. The company suggests that hydrogen might not be the ideal energy source for passenger cars, but rather for heavy logistics and industry. Armando Martinez, Iberdrola’s chief executive, acknowledged that hydrogen has been used by…
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PTT reinvestment: Diversifying beyond oil and petrochemicals for future growth
National energy conglomerate PTT Plc has initiated a reinvestment phase, eyeing new ventures for future growth. This move follows the stagnation of the company’s traditional businesses, which are primarily centred around the oil refinery and petrochemical sectors. As these avenues have limited potential for enhancing future income, the company emphasises the need for reinvestment. PTT’s President and Chief Executive Officer,…
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Mild earthquake shakes Pai district affecting four provinces
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 2 kilometres shook Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, causing tremors that were felt across four provinces. The Geology Department reported that the quake occurred today, with no initial damage found. The earthquake originated in the northern part of Wiang Nuea subdistrict, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. It was followed by…
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Whale of a time: Holidaymakers treated to rare sea spectacle near Phuket
Holidaymakers on a leisurely boat tour around the Racha Islands, located south of Phuket, yesterday were privy to a thrilling spectacle: the rare sight of a whale in its natural habitat, a relatively unusual occurrence in these parts. The Star Sailing Club’s head, Ilya Saldaev, captured and shared footage of the majestic creature breaking the water’s surface on social media.…
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Tiny trumpeter: Lost wild Thai elephant calf finds a voice and milk refuge
A one-month-old wild Thai elephant calf discovered alone and in a weakened state has begun making some noise and consuming milk regularly. Despite the absence of a wild elephant herd in the nearby vicinity, Thap Lan National Park and its veterinary team have been assisting the lost calf. The calf was found wandering near a cassava farm belonging to villagers in Talingshan…
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The Energy Ministry crackdown on petrol retailers stockpiling fuel after price cut
The Energy Ministry has pledged to take stringent action against oil retailers found to be illegitimately stockpiling fuel. This decision comes in response to complaints about a sudden shortage of oil at petrol stations, following the government’s decision to lower the prices of gasohol 91 and gasohol 95. On the morning of November 7, petrol stations across the nation began…
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Water supply timeout: Phuket residents set for thirst quenching pause
Residents in Phuket’s Bang Jo area are bracing themselves for a disruption in their water supply. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) of Phuket declared a temporary halt in the water supply from the evening of November 9 to the early hours of November 10. The shut-off is a result of repair work that needs to be carried out in the…
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Germany grants 16 billion baht to Thailand for climate change projects
Thailand is set to receive a significant contribution of 422 million euros (16 billion baht) from Germany, intended to fund various projects addressing climate change impacts. The announcement was made by Ernst Reichel, the German Ambassador to Thailand, during a press briefing yesterday. Reichel, who assumed his diplomatic role two months prior, underscored that climate change mitigation is a prime…
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Pattaya’s party takes a smoggy hit: Tops PM2.5 list in Thailand
Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches, now finds itself at the top of a less desirable list in Thailand. It was reported yesterday, November 5, that Pattaya had the highest concentration of PM2.5, a type of health-hazardous dust, in the entire country. Pattaya’s PM2.5 level surged to a staggering 154 micrograms per cubic meter, which…
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Rare Malayan tiger spotted in Thailand’s Bang Lang National Park
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) recently reported the sighting of a Malayan tiger in Yala‘s Bang Lang National Park. The news surfaced on the DNP‘s official Facebook page, revealing that the Malayan tiger is among several sub-species found in the southern border regions of Thailand and Malaysia. Bang Lang National Park and Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary…
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Bird breeders tweet plea to un-list the red-whiskered bulbul
Thailand‘s red-whiskered bulbul breeders’ association launched an appeal to the government, seeking to remove the bird from its list of protected species. The association argues that the breeding industry previously generated a substantial income for the economy, amounting to a billion baht. Suratep Boonyavatvanit, president of the association, highlighted that half a decade ago, there were approximately a million breeders…
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Thai firms to get tax cuts for aiding PM2.5 pollution reduction efforts
The government is set to grant tax incentives to Thai firms that financially support the mitigation of PM2.5 fine particulate matter, primarily resulting from forest fires. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has expressed growing concern over the haze pollution expected to shroud the central and northern regions from November to March due to an extended drought period influenced…
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Bangkok’s air quality dips: PM2.5 dust levels spark health warnings
Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are experiencing PM2.5 dust levels above the standard, leading to health concerns and advisories for the public to cease outdoor activities. The Air Pollution Problem Resolution Centre under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) unveiled these findings after monitoring air quality. While the PM2.5 dust level remained within standard limits across the country,…
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Rubber’s forest fury: Southeast Asia’s deforestation problem worse than thought
The rampant deforestation caused by rubber production in Southeast Asia could be much higher than anticipated, potentially two to three times the current estimates. This alarming discovery is a significant concern for importers who are under increasing pressure to source sustainable supplies, as revealed in a recent research study. Global demand for rubber is on the rise, leading to an…
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Bangkok breathes uneasy: PM2.5 dust levels reach ‘unhealthy’ zones
Bangkok, alongside other provinces, is grappling with unsettling levels of ultra-fine dust, or PM2.5. The quality of air in several areas has been categorised as either moderate or in the unhealthy spectrum. People, especially those living with chronic illnesses, have been cautioned by the Public Health Ministry to review the air quality before stepping out or participating in outdoor activities.…
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PM2.5 dust particles return due to season change in Bangkok
Bangkok is currently grappling with the return of PM2.5 dust particles, predominantly due to the transition from the rainy season to the colder months. Rising atmospheric pressure and stagnant air contribute to the accumulation of these particles. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported today, that the PM2.5 situation in Bangkok and surrounding…
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Chinese corporations eye investment in Thai green economy
Chinese corporations have expressed their intent to invest in Thailand’s green economy and development projects, renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and transportation infrastructure, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The Chinese investment announcement came after discussions between PM Srettha and Chinese business executives at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing. The 61 year old…
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Phuket’s waste crisis and eco-tourism plans discussed by Pita Limjaroenrat
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, yesterday paid a visit to Phuket to assess some ongoing projects in the seaside resort and discuss the key issues with the residents and officials. The respected former MFP leader was accompanied by three local MPs affiliated with the MFP, namely Somchart Techathavorncharoen, Chalermpong Saengdee and Thitikan Thitipruekthikul. The first stop…
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Thai court halts government’s wind power purchase scheme over selection irregularities
The Central Administrative Court‘s ruling to halt the government’s scheme to purchase 1,500 megawatts of wind power, on grounds of alleged irregularities in power plant selection, prompted the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to gear up for an appeal. The judgement came in response to Khon Kaen Wind 2 Co, a subsidiary of the SET-listed Energy Absolute (EA), who had voiced…
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Phuket’s deep cleanup: 800 kilogrammes of marine waste netted in underwater mission
An underwater cleanup operation near Racha Noi Island, Phuket, yielded 800 kilogrammes of discarded fishing nets and other marine debris last Friday. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) organised the cleanup after local divers alerted them about the marine trash accumulating on an artificial reef in Ran Gai Bay. The debris posed a significant threat to marine wildlife…
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Ubon Ratchathani residents face health risks as stagnant floodwaters turn toxic
The residents of Ubon Ratchathani continue to struggle with rising water levels as the Ubonrat and Lampao dams contribute to the increasing floodwaters in northeast Thailand. They are grappling with stagnant water that has begun to spoil, leading to requests for medication to treat water-borne diseases and fever, intensifying the impact of Ubon Ratchathani flooding. Banjong Wongvien, a resident of…
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Phichit flooding: Eight districts hit, 885 households submerged
The province of Phichit is currently grappling with severe flooding that has affected eight districts, with as many as 885 households submerged and damage to the local infrastructure. The situation has been worsened by the overflowing of the Nan and Yom rivers, leading officials to raise red flags, signalling the start of a flood crisis. The water level in the…
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Mun River’s unstoppable rise breaches barriers, submerging Thai communities, forcing mass evacuations
The Mun River broke through its sandbag barriers, causing a massive flood that submerged several communities up to 2 metres deep. The river’s relentless rise forced the evacuation of 195 families, while over 400 others continue to live in their flooded homes. The Mun River’s powerful flow eroded its sandbag barriers today, previously installed by the army, the Department of…
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Flood crisis in Thailand worsens, Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani hit hardest
Eleven provinces in Thailand continue to grapple with severe flood crisis, with Kalasin and Ubon Ratchathani experiencing rising water levels, as of today. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has mobilised resources and personnel from various agencies to expedite flood relief operations. Heavy rainfall in the past has caused flooding across 35 provinces, affecting 52,290 households in 2,506…
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Dam-burst drama: Rising water levels have northern Thailand residents on the brink
The residents of Non Sawan, located in the area above the Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen Province, are preparing for rising water levels, as a deluge has filled the dam to capacity. The resulting flood is rapidly encroaching upon rice fields and homes, with predictions of imminent submersion. The current state of Non Sawan village, located in Ubonrat district, Khon…
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Thai CEOs discuss sustainability’s key role in supply chain survival at SX2023
The Sustainability Expo 2023 (SX2023) has illuminated the essential role of sustainability in successful supply chain networks. The Thailand Supply Chain Network (TSCN) Business Partners Conference, also known as the TSCN CEO Panel, took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center as part of the ongoing expo. The key topic of discussion was the self-application of sustainable practices for…
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Electrical appliance industry sparks up: El Niño predicted to surge sales by 4-5%
The El Niño weather phenomenon could potentially stimulate a 4 to 5% rise in sales within the electrical appliance and electronics industry this year, with sales projected to elevate from 230 billion baht last year. Major electrical appliance distributors and leading retail chains noted growth in the market within the first nine months of the year. Despite the purchasing power…
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Tha Bo’s watery battle: Northern Thailand community withstands relentless flooding for two weeks
In the face of relentless and devastating flooding, the resilient community of Tha Bo in Ubon Ratchathani, northern Thailand, has been grappling with the harsh reality of nature’s fury for the past two weeks. The disaster uprooted the lives of 11 families, comprising 40 individuals, who found refuge and solace at Wat Ban Tha Bo. Their homes have been submerged…
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Laid to rest: Thai authorities bury 4.5 million kg of illicit pork in Chon Buri
The Department of Livestock Development, along with other key agencies, has begun the process of burying over 4.5 million kilogrammes of illicit pork, seized at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri. This gargantuan task, involving 161 shipping containers of illicit pork, is set to be completed within eight days at the Animal Feed Research and Development Centre in Sa Kaeo.…
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