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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Man-made moves make Thailand flood the news, says expert (video)
Pianporn “Pai” Deetes, Southeast Asia Programme Director for International Rivers, has pointed the finger of blame at human actions as major culprits of the floods that have unleashed chaos across Thailand this year. The tragic toll includes over 50 deaths in the north of Thailand earlier this year and more than 25 recently in the south of the country. Pianporn…
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Bangkok faces alarming PM2.5 pollution spike, 32 districts affected
Bangkok is suffocating under a cloud of smog as PM2.5 pollution levels surge, forcing 32 districts to breach safety thresholds. Satellite data from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) casts a spotlight on Nong Khaem, clocking the most dangerous levels at a staggering 61.3 microgrammes per cubic metre. Such pollution spells disaster for our lungs, with the respiratory…
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Thai Cabinet approves 5 billion baht flood aid for 16 provinces
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a budget of 5 billion baht to aid households in 16 more provinces beset by recent flooding, expanding the scope of assistance previously extended to other affected areas. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that every flood-impacted household within these 16 provinces, including several in the southern region, will receive a uniform payout of 9,000 baht…
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Rainmaking flights reduce air pollution in Bangkok
The air quality index (AQI) in Bangkok, neighbouring provinces, and certain northern regions has shown improvement following the initial efforts of rainmaking flights conducted by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA). The initiative aimed to address the high levels of PM2.5 fine particulate matter affecting the region. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Itthi Sirilathayakorn, announced that…
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3D-printed corals spark underwater hope at Koh Racha Yai
In a cutting-edge bid to revive the coral reefs around Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is making waves with its annual reef restoration campaign. The initiative unveiled its latest eco-marvel: 3D-printed coral larvae islands on Saturday, November 30, designed to breathe life back into the battered seabeds. The high-profile launch event…
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Thailand ports embrace solar power for sustainability
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) took a significant step towards sustainability by installing solar rooftops at its ports, marking the move towards establishing green ports. These rooftops are anticipated to generate 5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar energy each year, contributing to Thailand’s environmental goals. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri highlighted the global imperative for environmental responsibility, noting that…
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Bangkok in a chokehold: Smog blankets the city (video)
Bangkok is on high alert this week as residents prepare for a choking blanket of smog set to engulf the city and its surrounding areas. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) sounded the alarm, warning that from today, December 2, until Friday, December 6, a thick haze will shroud the capital, thanks to smoke billowing from nearby farmland and stagnant air…
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Phuket launches initiative to cut food waste by 15 tonnes daily
Phuket has embarked on an ambitious journey to tackle its mounting waste problem by launching a food waste management initiative. This project aims to reduce waste by 15 tonnes daily, positioning the island as a low-carbon destination. Janthima Duangsai, the director of the Environmental and Pollution Control Office at the Pollution Control Department, highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting…
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Anchors away: RTN leads eco-mission to save Maya Bay
Maya Bay, the jewel of Thailand’s Andaman Sea, is getting a new lease of life thanks to a bold conservation push led by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). In a grand event on Monday, November 25, Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul of the RTN Third Area Command spearheaded the installation of mooring and fish egg buoys, alongside a deep-sea garbage collection…
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Bangkok’s big truck crackdown: Clearing the air one gear at a time
City Hall is gearing up for a major move to clean up Bangkok’s air quality, and the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is calling on all operators of six-wheeled trucks and larger vehicles to gear up for action. The city plans to roll out a groundbreaking Low Emission Zone initiative next year, targeting those notorious medium- and large-sized trucks to…
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Thai PM and Energy Minister clash over clean energy vision
Tensions have erupted in Thailand’s government as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga lock horns over the nation’s clean energy future. A disagreement, which has reportedly been simmering for weeks, boiled over yesterday, November 26, leading to the abrupt cancellation of a joint press conference following a National Energy Policy Board meeting. While PM Paetongtarn addressed the…
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Phuket aims for carbon neutrality in Old Town by 2030
Phuket has embarked on an ambitious journey towards sustainable tourism with the introduction of the Phuket Old Town Carbon Neutrality 2030 initiative. This project aims to establish the historic old town as Thailand’s first carbon-neutral area by the year 2030. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, representing Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, officiated the launch of this initiative at the 72nd…
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Caterpillar outbreak devastates Songkhla’s coconut plantations
A significant outbreak of black-headed caterpillars has severely impacted coconut plantations across four districts in Songkhla, causing extensive damage to the crops. Local agricultural officials are responding by deploying parasitic wasps and chemical agents to combat the infestation. Agricultural experts have reported that the black-headed caterpillar infestation is affecting coconut trees in the Sathing Phra Peninsula and other areas of…
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Deputy minister’s bold plan to quench Phuket’s water woes
Phuket’s water crisis may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a fresh action plan unveiled during Deputy Minister of Interior Sabida Thaiseth’s recent visit. Arriving in Phuket for a two-day official tour, Sabida dove into long-term strategies to secure the island’s water supply, a critical issue that has plagued the region for years. The briefing took place…
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Sustainable solutions for Thailand’s environmental challenge
Over 100 young people came together for the Green to Go Summit to brainstorm sustainable solutions for Thailand’s imminent environmental challenges. Interactive discussions were held around the topics of low-carbon cities, emerging energy technologies, and debunking plastic recycling myths. Organised by the Green Youth Thailand, the event was held as part of the annual EU Green Diplomacy Weeks in ASEAN…
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FTI fuels the push for a public-private energy plan in Thailand
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) renewed its call for the establishment of a public-private committee on energy management, urging the Thai government to take the proposal seriously in light of potential shifts in America’s energy policy under Donald Trump’s presidency. The FTI’s proposal aims to enhance national energy management and address the complexities arising from global energy dynamics. The…
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Thailand boosts efforts to meet Paris climate goals amid challenges
Thailand is intensifying its efforts to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions as the country’s current actions fall short of the targets set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Chalermchai Sri-on, the minister of Natural Resources and Environment, highlighted these concerns during his address at the COP29 climate summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Addressing the summit, which is set to…
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Phanom district grows kitchen gardens for food security boost
Local cuisine serves as a captivating cultural heritage, embodying the essence of each community. A new initiative in Phanom district in the southern province of Surat Thani embodies this spirit by utilising the vacant space in front of the district office to cultivate kitchen gardens, promoting food security. The District Chief of Phanom, Suchau Tumosik, in collaboration with local leaders…
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Phuket goes green: Old town steps up for carbon-free tourism
Phuket Old Town took centre stage on Monday, November 18, as the Department of Tourism unveiled its bold initiative to promote low-carbon tourism routes, marking a milestone in sustainable travel for the 2024 fiscal year. Local leaders and media gathered for the showcase event in the historic heart of Phuket, which spotlighted eco-friendly travel practices and the charm of the…
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Pattaya revamps park to oust venomous visitors near residence
Residents near Jeh Madi Mansion, close to Soi Sukhumvit 28 and Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, raised the alarm over unwelcome slithery neighbours – venomous creatures lurking a little too close to home. In response, Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai, flanked by local council members and city officials, launched an emergency renovation project yesterday, November 19, clearing out the public area to improve…
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Leopard thrills visitors at Phetchaburi national park (video)
A leopard made a striking appearance at the Ban Krang Helipad in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi province, thrilling visitors. Captured in vivid detail by a tourist, this sighting underscores the park’s thriving ecosystem and effective conservation efforts. A clip and photographs of the leopard, shared by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), have drawn significant…
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Tourists in Trang thrilled by rare dugong sighting near Koh Libong
Tourists in Trang were thrilled to encounter a fully grown dugong grazing on seagrass, a sight not witnessed for several months. The boat operator quickly launched a drone to capture the memorable moment, creating a buzz among the visitors. At Ban Phrang Pier in the Koh Libong area of Kantang district, Trang province, Anon Kingkoyao, a tour operator on Koh…
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‘Keep your krathongs on land,’ says Patong Mayor in eco-plea
As Loy Krathong celebrations light up Patong Beach tonight, Patong Municipality is urging revellers to keep their lanterns (krathongs) out of the sea. Every year, thousands descend on the beach, offering decorated krathongs to the water goddess to cast away bad luck and ask for blessings. Yet, while the gestures float away, the krathongs often come back, with the tide…
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Bangkok braces for rising pollution as air quality worsens
Bangkok’s air quality has significantly deteriorated, with 28 areas submerged in PM2.5 dust particles. Officials issued warnings, anticipating a spike in pollution levels between this Sunday, November 17 and next Tuesday, November 19. Residents are advised to take precautions to protect their health. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported on the air quality status in Bangkok and its surrounding areas,…
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Spring surprise: Flooding ‘washes out’ Chiang Mai roads (video)
Water springs in Mueang Na, Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai have been causing unusual flooding, leading to road closures. Normally dry for six months, these springs have continuously flowed, affecting multiple areas simultaneously and disrupting local transport. A TikTok user, under the account @j_khamsan, shared videos highlighting the strange phenomenon of multiple water springs in Mueang Na, Chiang Dao district, Chiang…
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Phuket residents alarmed by sudden worm invasion
Residents of the Phuket Villa 3 housing estate in Wichit found themselves in disarray yesterday when a staggering swarm of “norn pradu” worms descended upon their community. The unexpected invasion left the public park and its surroundings teeming with these small creatures, causing significant distress among the locals. These worms, measuring roughly 2 to 3 centimetres in length, quickly spread…
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Bangkok air quality goes up in smoke as pm2.5 levels spike
Air quality in Bangkok has deteriorated significantly, with hazardous PM2.5 levels recorded across 49 districts. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) warned citizens about the pollution levels, which were found to be above the standard threshold for health safety. The alarming situation was reported at 7am today, November 13, when GISTDA, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science,…
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Phuket’s waste crisis escalates: Larger landfills urgently needed
Phuket is battling a mounting waste crisis as the island’s landfills struggle to keep up with booming tourism and business expansion. Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet is spearheading urgent efforts to contain the overflow, making a high-stakes visit to Saphan Hin’s landfill sites 4 and 5 on Monday, November 11 to fast-track expansion projects. Landfill 3 is already beyond capacity, with…
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Dugong dilemma: Thailand’s gentle sea giants face extinction risk
Thailand’s beloved dugongs are in dire straits, prompting an urgent meeting by the National Policy and Planning Committee on Marine and Coastal Resources Management. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, the focus was squarely on the alarming rise in dugong deaths in recent weeks. With representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and the Department of Marine and…
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Bangkok air pollution spikes as 35 areas exceed safe PM2.5 levels
Bangkok faced a spike in PM2.5 pollution levels, with 35 areas registering unhealthy air quality, prompting swift action from City Hall. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued warnings to help residents mitigate health impacts from the pollutants. PM2.5, or ultra-fine dust particles, exceeded the safe threshold of 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in several areas, according to AirBKK, BMA’s…
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