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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Heavy flooding forces closures in Khao Yai National Park
Heavy flooding has led to the closure of key sites in Khao Yai National Park, impacting popular tourist destinations and local communities. Takhro Falls and the Sai Yai River in Prachinburi were shut down yesterday, while Nang Rong Falls in Nakhon Nayok followed suit today. Park chief Chaiya Huaihongthong confirmed the closures, attributing them to the continuous downpours that have…
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Severe flooding in Chanthaburi and Trat amid relentless rainfall
Severe flooding gripped Chanthaburi and Trat yesterday, as relentless rainfall continued to batter the regions. Heavy downpours, driven by the convergence of the monsoon trough over northern Thailand and upper Laos along with a moderate southwest monsoon, have caused significant water accumulation in these eastern provinces, according to Paitoon Kengkarnchang from the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR). To…
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Blackchin tilapia threat leads to fish destruction in Phuket
Concerns over the potential invasion of blackchin tilapia in Phuket have led to the destruction of 20 kilogrammes of the fish sold at local markets. The environmental group Monsoon Garbage Thailand sparked the action, highlighting the ecological threat posed by the species if it were to establish itself in the island’s waters. The blackchin tilapia, a cichlid species native to…
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Heavy rain, strong winds wreak havoc in Pattaya and Na Kluea
Heavy rain and strong winds battered the coastal areas of Pattaya and Na Kluea today, causing significant damage to property and infrastructure. The Meteorological Department of Thailand predicted heavy rain in 80% of the area, focusing particularly on the Eastern region and Bangkok. Additionally, the Southern Andaman coast and the Gulf of Thailand were expected to experience waves up to…
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Japan urges ASEAN to prioritise hybrids over EVs for sustainability
Japan advocates for hybrid vehicles as an effective path for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reach sustainable development goals. During the Economic Security and Supply Chains seminar, Yasuyuki Todo from the Faculty of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University cautioned ASEAN about over-relying on the electric vehicle (EV) industry. He pointed out that since Asean mainly…
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Power outage to hit Baan Manik in Srisoonthorn tomorrow
A scheduled power outage will impact Baan Manik in Srisoonthorn tomorrow, as announced by the Thalang branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA Thalang). The outage will occur from 9am to 4.30pm to allow workers to safely conduct repairs and maintenance on the high-voltage system in the area. The specific areas affected extend from the entrance of Wat Thepwanaram (Wat…
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Efforts intensify to protect rare marine species in Andaman Sea
Efforts to protect rare marine species along the Andaman Sea have intensified, with new aerial surveys revealing the presence of dugongs, sea turtles, and dolphins, highlighting a thriving marine ecosystem. The initiative, spearheaded by senior officials, aims to conserve these precious resources. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pachara Wongsoonsawat has shown significant concern for the…
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Landslide warning issued at Khao Yai National Park
A landslide warning has been issued at Khao Yai National Park due to heavy rain, causing soil and rocks to slide onto Thanarat Road. Park officials urge caution, especially near the waterfall. Heavy rainfall has led to a dangerous landslide situation at Khao Yai National Park, resulting in soil and rocks cascading down from over 100 metres high. Chaiya Huayhongthong,…
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Lopburi Municipality captures 150 monkeys in new operation
Lopburi Municipality captured over 150 monkeys in the first two days of a new operation aimed at controlling the monkey population in the city. The goal is to capture at least 500 monkeys within 10 days, with support from 12 military personnel from the 13th Military Circle. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), in collaboration with…
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Storm topples high-voltage poles, obstructs road in Chanthaburi
A violent storm with strong winds toppled six 12-metre high-voltage electricity poles, obstructing a road and damaging a vehicle in Chanthaburi province. Police are working urgently to clear the area and restore normalcy. Heavy rain and thunderstorms battered many parts of Chanthaburi province yesterday, with strong winds causing extensive damage. A fierce storm led to the collapse of six high-voltage…
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Invasive fish in Thailand causes 100 million baht annual damage
Thammasat University research reveals that the blackchin tilapia has caused economic damage to the Praek Nam Daeng community, amounting to at least 100 million baht per year. The SROI TU Centre for Social Return on Investment Research and Development recently posted a study detailing these impacts. The research, conducted between 2018 and 2019 by SROI TU, part of the Puey…
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CPF no show slammed as blackchin tilapia talk goes fishy
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) faced criticism from a House committee for failing to attend a meeting to address questions regarding the importation of blackchin tilapia for research purposes back in 2010. The Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, who also serves as the deputy chairman of the subcommittee investigating the spread of the invasive species, stated that CPF…
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Mooring buoys installed off Koh Hei to protect coral reefs
Rawai Municipality and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Region Third Area Command at Cape Panwa spearheaded an initiative yesterday to install more mooring buoys off Koh Hei (Coral Island). The event, held to honour His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday this Sunday, July 28, was led by Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos and Rear Admiral Suchat Thammapitakwet, Commander of the RTN…
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Thai prisons fight fish outbreak with new menu and inmate fishing
Thai prisons are switching their menus to include black-spotted climbing perch and involving inmates in the fishing process to combat the fish outbreak, supporting government efforts to mitigate the issue’s impact on the public. The Department of Corrections acknowledged the widespread distress caused by the black-spotted climbing perch outbreak. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed all ministries and agencies to…
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Sri Racha cleans up for King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday
Sri Racha Municipality organised a large-scale cleaning initiative yesterday to honour the upcoming birthday of His Royal Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The event, led by Sri Racha Mayor Chatchai Timkrachang, took place at the municipal office and Sri Racha Park. Participants, including municipal officials, council members, teachers, students, the general public, and local volunteer groups, gathered yesterday morning, July 24,…
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Residents squeal in protest as pig farm stinks up Chon Buri canal
Hundreds of residents in Chon Buri‘s Phanat Nikhom district gathered yesterday to protest against a major pig farm, accusing it of polluting a local canal and causing a persistent foul odour for several years. The demonstration, which began at 11am, yesterday, July 24, saw villagers from Village 6, Village 9, and Village 10 coming together to voice their frustrations. The…
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Phuket canal blackened by boat engine soot, not oil spill
Black water in Klong Tha Jeen, located on the east side of Phuket Town, was traced back to soot from a boat engine, according to the Phuket Marine Office. The incident occurred yesterday when soot from the engine of a boat named Jovana caused black water to appear on the canal’s surface. A tip-off was received around 11am, yesterday, July…
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Tilapia surprise: Sun-soaked eggs hatch, calls for fishy rethink
Eggs of the blackchin tilapia, left in the sun for two months, have surprisingly hatched, according to a local farmer in Samut Songkhram. The farmer urges the Department of Fisheries to reconsider the effectiveness of using seabass to control the invasive species. The spread of the blackchin tilapia across 17 provinces in Thailand prompted the Department of Fisheries to deploy…
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Tilapia trouble: Thailand orders crackdown on invasive fish invasion
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to intensify efforts to curb the spread of blackchin tilapia, an invasive species now pervasive in Thailand’s waterways. The 62 year old prime minister tasked the ministry with investigating how this species, originally from West Africa, has managed to proliferate so widely across the country. Following these instructions, Agriculture and…
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Bangkok plans 130 new parks, doubles tree goal by 2026
Bangkok is taking a bold step towards sustainability under the leadership of Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Moving past the Green Bangkok 2030 initiative, the governor has set his sights on an ambitious environmental agenda. Chadchart’s vision includes creating a 15-minute city with accessible green spaces. The plan involves adding 130 parks and doubling the tree-planting goal to two million by 2026,…
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Thailand to investigate blackchin tilapia surge within seven days
Thailand’s Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry tasked the Fisheries Department with a seven-day deadline to determine the cause behind the surge in the blackchin tilapia population. Prayoon Inskul, permanent secretary for the ministry, announced yesterday, July 20, that a comprehensive plan has been devised to address the outbreak affecting 16 provinces. The initial strategy involves a committee working to control the…
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Thailand rubber farmers oppose fund use for fish purchase
Rubber farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan raised concerns over the Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to use funds from the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) to buy black-banded trevally fish at 15 baht per kilogramme. The farmers question the fairness and appropriateness of this policy. Rungroj Ratanakaw, a resident of Thong Mongkol subdistrict in Bang Saphan district, voiced his disagreement with…
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Samut Sakhon releases one million prawns for river conservation
Samut Sakhon released one million black tiger prawns into the Tha Chin River to bolster aquatic populations and maintain ecological balance. The event took place at 11am yesterday, July 17, led by Samut Sakhon Governor Phon Damthornom, alongside local officials, civil servants, and residents. The ceremony was held in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday, marking six…
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One missing during Maha Sarakham reservoir breach flooding
A significant breach at the Huay Chiang Kham Reservoir in Maha Sarakham led to the release of several million cubic metres of water on Tuesday, affecting vast agricultural areas and resulting in one person missing. Local officials reported that the incident impacted 10,000 rai of farmland across four subdistricts in the northeastern province. The breach, which occurred at 5pm, created…
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Thailand to explore small nuclear reactors for clean energy boost
Energy Ministry officials are set to assess the feasibility of developing small nuclear power plants as part of the updated power development plan (PDP). This initiative aims to increase the use of clean energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The technology under consideration is the small modular reactor (SMR), which can generate up to 300 megawatts per unit (MW), roughly…
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Fishy business: Thailand declares war on invasive blackchin tilapia
Efforts to eradicate the invasive blackchin tilapia fish have been declared a national priority by Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry. Measures to prevent the species from breeding are currently under investigation. Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompow announced that the ministry is actively working to eliminate the blackchin tilapia, a species native to West Africa, due to its predatory nature and significant threat to…
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Similan Islands national park’s plea for hermit crab homes
Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province is sounding the alarm and calling on the public to donate shells to provide new homes for hermit crabs. This urgent campaign aims to boost the crab population and enhance marine biodiversity. Hermit crabs are vital beach cleaners, eliminating bacteria and disease to maintain the park’s ecosystem. Due to their soft…
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Bangkok governor goes fishing for answers over fish deaths
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt inspected Bueng Makkasan in Ratchathewi district following a large number of fish deaths, suspected to be caused by oxygen depletion and expressed concern over the potential spread of the blackchin tilapia to other areas. Chadchart visited Bueng Makkasan in the Ratchathewi district today to investigate the mass fish deaths in the area. Local fishers reported that…
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Mekong power play sparks concerns: Dam contract makes waves
Conservationists and residents of the Mekong Basin are urging the Thai government to reconsider signing a contract to purchase electricity from the Pak Beng Hydropower Dam in Laos, citing potential economic and territorial losses. An open letter addressed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga captured the concerns, with signatures from Thongsuk Inthawong, former headman of Bann…
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Thai cops make waves with underwater raid on illegal timber stash
Police in Kanchanaburi, West Thailand, conducted a significant raid on an illegal timber storage site, seizing a large quantity of protected wood both on land and underwater. Individuals have until July 15 to present ownership documents or face legal action. Director of Forest Fire Prevention, Suppression, and Control Narupon Thipmonda ordered the Director of the Forest Protection and Suppression Unit,…
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