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 Is private health insurance in thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Phuket launches urgent cleanup to boost tourism on Karon Beach
Phuket officials initiated an urgent cleanup operation at Karon Beach, aiming to address concerns over its impact on tourism. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a meeting with the local Joint Public and Private Sector Committee on Economic Development, focusing on regulating beach umbrellas at Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Patong Beach. The cleanup drive targets the removal of beach umbrellas and…
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Thailand takes off with green aviation: SAF guidelines
Thailand’s Energy Ministry is poised to unveil groundbreaking guidelines on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the final quarter of this year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). This initiative tackles the colossal carbon footprint of the energy sector, the top offender in global warming. With the energy sector spewing out a staggering 69% of total emissions—40% from…
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Wild elephant found dead from electrocution in Ranong sanctuary
A wild elephant was found dead from electrocution at the radar hill in the Thungraya-Nasak Wildlife Sanctuary in Ranong province. The elephant, believed to have pulled down a tree that fell on high-voltage power lines, was discovered by local government officials who are now working to protect the remaining five elephants in the area. Chawakun Sithisak, deputy inspector of Muang…
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Thailand’s park department concerns over forest conservation bills
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) raised serious concerns over two proposed bills aimed at protecting indigenous people’s land rights. The department argues these bills could significantly undermine forest conservation efforts across the country. DNP Chief Attapol Charoenshunsa stated that, if passed, the bills put forward by the civil rights group P-Move and the Ministry of…
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2-metre crocodile crossing road sparks panic in central Thailand
A 2-metre crocodile was spotted crossing a road in the village of Nonmu, Kabin Buri district, Prachin Buri province, causing panic among the residents. The reptile appeared yesterday evening, August 5, and disappeared into the darkness, prompting local authorities to launch a search to capture it due to potential safety concerns. Eyewitnesses reported being shocked and immediately stopping their vehicles…
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Leading international and Thai green advocates headline Asia’s leading sustainability tourism event, PHIST 2024
One of the world’s most inspirational green advocates will headline PHIST this year as Asia’s pioneering sustainability event enters its 8th year. You can register to join the event that advocates for sustainability through the Eventbrite registration website. Unsung hero of sustainability Andrew Dixon, a former banker turned green activist, owner and operator of two private island resorts in Indonesian…
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Nakhon Nayok hit by sudden flooding after dam water release
Nakhon Nayok experienced sudden flooding early today as Khun Dan Prakarnchon Dam began releasing water without prior notice. Flooding inundated several areas along the Nakhon Nayok River in Mueang district, today, August 5. Media outlets showcased the rising waters at resorts near the dam and along the riverbanks. Volunteers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation’s Nakhon Nayok branch reported receiving calls…
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Prachin Buri residents forced out of their homes by flash floods
Residents of Prachin Buri have been camping in tents by the roadside for five consecutive days after flash floods from Khao Yai and Thap Lan National Parks inundated their homes. Twenty-two households are affected, with water levels still over 60 centimetres. Heavy rains over several days caused flash floods to surge from Khao Yai and Thap Lan National Parks, flooding…
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Chinese-owned factory fined 1.8 billion baht for waste water in reservoir
Chachoengsao Provincial Court fined a Chinese-owned factory 1.8 billion baht for releasing waste water into the Jone Reservoir in the central province of Chachoengsao. THH Moly Processing Company’s illegal action came to light in 2019 after 2 million cubic metres of water in the Jone Reservoir was contaminated with multiple toxic substances. Locals could not use the water for consumption…
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Severe flooding in Mae Hong Son threatens rice fields
Heavy rainfall in Mae Hong Son has caused the Mae Sa Nga River to overflow, flooding over 1,000 rai of rice fields. The famous Sutongpe Bridge, a well-known tourist spot, is also at risk of submersion, with landslides blocking several roads. Mae Hong Son is currently facing a crisis due to continuous heavy rainfall which has led to severe flooding…
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Pattaya City launches nature restoration to enhance ecotourism
Pattaya City has embarked on a significant nature restoration project aimed at enhancing ecotourism and revitalising the ecosystem in the Na Kluea area. The initiative kicked off with a ceremony at Khlong Nok Yang in Na Kluea, attended by local officials, including Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampiches, Pattaya City Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, and the mayor’s secretary, Phumipat Kamolnat. The…
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Pattaya City buys crabs to boost marine life, supports fishermen
Pattaya City has launched an innovative project to support local fishermen and conserve marine life by purchasing low-grade blue swimming crabs and releasing them into the mangrove forest in Na Kluea. The initiative involves paying 250 baht per kilogramme to fishermen, aiming to balance ecological preservation with community income generation. The Natural Resources Division, Environmental Quality Promotion Division, and the…
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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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