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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Ayutthaya builds dykes to protect homes amid rising Chao Phraya River levels
The fast-rising waters of the Chao Phraya River have led to the construction of dykes along its banks in the province of Ayutthaya. There is a growing concern that the swelling river may overflow, potentially flooding homes and historical landmarks. The Chao Phraya River’s rising levels are attributed to an increased water volume from upstream provinces. However, on Wednesday, it…
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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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Yom River banks breach in northern Thailand, leaves 500+ homes flooded
The Sukhothai province in Thailand experienced intense flooding when the banks of the Yom River broke on Monday, leading to over 500 households in the commercial district becoming inundated. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin conveyed persistent concerns about the flood situation in Sukhothai following relentless rain. Although the prime minister did not confirm his visit to the flood-stricken Sukhothai, he announced…
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Thai Prime Minister acts swiftly on northern region’s escalating flood crisis
Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, initiated immediate action yesterday in response to the flood crisis in numerous provinces in northern Thailand. The floodwater from the Yom River is expected to exacerbate the situation downstream, particularly in provinces such as Sukhothai and Phitsanulok. Reports of flooding were received from several northern and northeastern provinces, including Phrae and Phetchabun, where significant flooding…
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Plastic fantastic: UK scientists serve up world’s first ice cream from plastic waste
Scientists in the UK have innovated the world’s first food made from plastic waste, specifically vanilla ice cream, to highlight global environmental issues and raise awareness about the potential future of food and overflowing plastic waste. The so-called ice cream is actually an art installation named Guilty Flavours by 27 year old Elena Ortolani, aimed at prompting the public to…
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Mun River’s flood tide brings venomous twist to northern Thailand
The continuous rise of the Mun River has resulted in severe flooding, submerging nine districts in Ubon Ratchathani, northern Thailand. Inhabitants scramble to evacuate while also dealing with venomous animals, including snakes and scorpions, that have been displaced by the floodwaters. Agricultural damage is extensive, with an estimated 46,000 acres of farmland affected. The flooding has also impacted tens of…
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Severe flooding in Nakhon Ratchasima sparks fears of 1980 disaster repeat
Torrential rains triggered severe flooding in Nakhon Ratchasima causing residents to hastily evacuate their homes. The situation has raised concerns of a repeat of the devastating floods of 1980. The Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation, especially in the Lam Takhong area. Khao Yai National Park Head, Chaiya Huay Hongs Thong, reported that the depression storm has led to…
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Phuket’s pristine promise: Chalong’s no-littering sign takes center stage
In a bid to maintain cleanliness and orderliness, the Chalong Municipality erected a sign prohibiting littering and the dumping of garbage in Phuket. This commendable move is aimed at preserving the beauty and hygiene of the municipality. According to Chalong’s village headman Kokchai Sae-Ung, the land is privately owned. Last year, approval had been given to raise the site using…
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Banpu’s rare earth pivot for cleaner energy
Banpu, a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed company, is planning a strategic shift towards the mining of rare earth, a move anticipated to replace its coal mining operations as the firm prioritises the creation of a cleaner, smarter energy. The company’s interest is especially piqued by the elements required to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). Banpu is in…
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Thai ministry’s water woes: Bueng Boraphet faces aquatic crisis with levels plummeting tenfold
The Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday investigated the water situation at Bueng Boraphet, revealing that the water level is ten times lower than the previous year, creating a water crisis that could impact the ecosystem. The secretary, Jatuporn Burusphat, ordered continuous water replenishment from today. Accompanied by Pichit Sombatmak, Deputy Secretary, and other concerned officials,…
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El Niño effect forecasted to lower Thai rice production in 2023-24
The Agricultural Economics Office of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry in Thailand forecasted a decline in rice production for the 2023-24 harvest season. The expected drop is approximately 871,000 tonnes, a decrease of 3.27%, totalling 25.8 million tonnes. This significant decrease is primarily due to the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon. Deputy Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Department,…
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Bangkok’s stormy wake-up call: Governor urges preparedness as capital weathers surprises
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged the city to be on high alert after storms hit the capital this week resulting in a number of unexpected incidents such as tree collapses, power outages, and flooding. This includes mobilising vehicles from various districts to facilitate the transportation of citizens in risk-prone areas. The command centre reported heavy rainfall yesterday in the Bang…
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Solar sparks fly: SPCG revs up to electrify Eastern Economic Corridor
After nearly two years of delay, SPCG, a leading solar farm developer in Thailand, is set to start construction of solar farms within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). SPCG anticipates generating a combined power capacity of 500 megawatts. The delay was due to the need to identify suitable areas for the project and awaiting the license approval from the new…
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Shaky start: Chiang Rai rumbles with four earthquakes, but no harm done
Chiang Rai, a northern province in Thailand, experienced four minor earthquakes this morning, the most powerful registering a magnitude of 3.6. According to the Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department, no damage or casualties have been reported. The initial tremor, with a magnitude of 3.6, was detected at 12.45am under tambon Dong Mada in the Mae Lao district.…
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Mayor’s trash-tigation: Chalong clamps down on waste disposal after viral aerial reveal
The mayor of Chalong has enforced a swift ban on any further waste disposal at a three-rai site in Baan Khoktanod, Moo 9, Chalong, following the spread of an aerial image of the site on social media. The image, first shared by the Facebook page Monsoon Garbage Thailand, prompted immediate action from local authorities. Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew assigned Thanaporn…
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Phuket’s forest-working group takes root: Mapping a path for protected land issues
Phuket’s inaugural meeting of a newly established working group, tasked with resolving issues concerning residents residing in or near the Bang Khanun Protected National Forest, resolved to develop a database to record all land parcels owned or occupied within the forest area. The decision also included creating a map of the occupied areas within the forest. The resolution was made…
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ASEAN air chiefs unite with RTAF to ‘clear the air’ in Thailand pollution battle
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is gearing up to join forces with its ASEAN counterparts to combat air pollution, specifically honing in on the issue of fine particulate matter PM2.5. This announcement took flight during the annual ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, which concluded today, with a mission to ‘clean up’ the skies. The conference…
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Dolphin tragedy: Tangled in net, washed ashore in Chon Buri
A dolphin carcass was discovered today washed up on the shores of Bangsaen beach, near Laem Thaen roundabout, in Chon Buri. The 2 metre long, 50 kilogramme animal had a fishing net entangled around its tail, suggesting it had been dead for approximately two to four days. Amornsak Saksaensilp, a 33 year old member of the Sea Patrol Volunteers, relayed…
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Hat Wanakorn Park scoops Thailand Tourism Silver Award
The National Park of Hat Wanakorn, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan, has been honoured with the prestigious Thailand Tourism Silver Awards in the category of Natural Tourist Attractions. The award was presented to Netnapha Ngamnet, the head of the park, today. The National Park of Hat Wanakorn is renowned for its conservation efforts and commitment to promoting sustainable tourism. The park’s…
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Royal battleships make a reefinement splash as underwater tourism sets sail off Koh Tao
The royal battleships Su Phairin and Han Hak Satru just took their last splash as they were submerged undersea to form refinement ambassadors. Rear Admiral Charasakiat Chaiphan, commander of the 2nd naval area, led the initiative, all part of the underwater learning park project to take the plunge into underwater tourism. The two decommissioned vessels found their new home off…
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Shore thing: Coastal encroachment sparks wave of controversy in Chon Buri
Chon Buri’s local authorities lodged complaints yesterday against a resort proprietor and a village leader, accusing them of encroaching on a coastal region in the Sattahip district by constructing a ramp. The ramp was being erected behind a now-defunct resort in Tambon Samae San in Moo 1, an area under investigation following a complaint about suspected coastal encroachment. Following the…
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Newly discovered Nishimura comet visible in Thailand this Sunday
Keep your eyes pointed upwards this weekend as Thailand will be treated to a rare celestial sighting. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has revealed that the Thai population might have the opportunity to observe the newly discovered Nishimura comet this Sunday evening as it approaches the sun. The comet, officially tagged as C/2023 P1 and named after…
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Dead fish boom caused by sudden plankton bloom in Sri Racha
, A beach in Sri Racha was transformed into a macabre spectacle as a vast number of dead fish washed ashore on Friday, September 8. The sight at Bang Phra Beach was both surprising and concerning, with the sheer volume of dead fish proving too substantial for an accurate estimate. Locals, familiar with the ebb and flow of the seaside…
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Thai taxi drivers seek incentives to shift to electric vehicles
Taxi drivers across Thailand, represented by the Thai Public Taxi Association, are petitioning the country’s transport minister for a financial incentive package to facilitate their switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Association Chairman, Sadit Jaitiang, plans to bring up this key concern during a vital meeting slated for next Friday with Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The meeting is expected to address…
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Gulf of Thailand spill scare: 60,000 litres of crude oil, but Chon Buri coast unharmed
The upper Gulf of Thailand has experienced a crude oil spill of 60,000 litres, however, marine ecology along the coast of Chon Buri remains unscathed, as reported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. Deputy Chief of the department, Apichai Ekvanakun, confirmed that the department’s teams had examined the coral reefs across five islands in the province. These islands…
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Thai government’s rainy day plan: Combating drought and El Nino
Confronted with the detrimental impacts of the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Thai government is mobilising to tackle the decreasing rainfall and drought plaguing the nation’s agricultural sector, according to Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Following a special Cabinet meeting yesterday, PM Srettha highlighted the government’s commitment to the welfare of the agricultural community and the nation at large. The…
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Jomtien Beach fishing frenzy: Pattaya’s untidy shoreline sparks concerns
Jomtien Beach in Pattaya has been a subject of concern recently due to the cluttered state of its local fishing section. The area, specifically near the Chaiyapreuk intersection, has been criticised by citizens for being untidy and disorganised, potentially harming the city’s tourism image. This area serves as a docking and temporary seafood market spot for local fishermen. Locals have…
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Oil spill disrupts Sri Racha coast, Thai Oil Company responds swiftly
The waters off Sri Racha coast in Chon Buri were tainted by an oil spill on Sunday night, September 3. The Thai Oil Public Company Limited’s refinery, located in the Sri Racha district, reported the leakage during an oil discharge from a tanker at the Single Buoy Mooring Buoy (SBM-2). Approximately 45,000 litres of crude oil seeped into the sea,…
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Phuket water management: ONWR takes action on shortages, flooding, and wastewater
Phuket’s enduring issues of water shortages, flooding and inadequate wastewater management are set to be addressed by the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR). Surasri Kidtimonton, the secretary-general of ONWR, recently visited the province to track the progress of the water management plan and forest preservation initiatives around Kathu district’s natural water resources. Although Phuket stands as a crucial…
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