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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Mae Sot floods: Three days of rain cause severe damage
Heavy rainfall has pounded Mae Sot for three consecutive days and nights, causing the Moei River to overflow and flood homes, submerging entire cars. Landslides have also blocked the Mae Sot-Tak highway, exacerbating the situation further. Continuous rainfall for three days and nights has wreaked havoc in Tak province’s five border districts, leading to flash floods pouring into the Moei…
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Royal push for sustainable farming in East Pattaya
The Phueng Luang Asawin Foundation has unveiled an ambitious plan to turn hundreds of rai in Huay Yai, East Pattaya, into a sustainable agricultural powerhouse. Locals packed a community forum on Sunday, September 8 to hear the exciting details of a project that promises to revolutionise their livelihoods. The foundation, established by Mom Chao Pansawali Kitiyakara, mother of Her Royal…
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Rayong sets example in eco-industrial urban development
Thailand’s Department of Climate Change and Environmental Affairs (DCCE) highlighted Rayong as a model for eco-industrial urban development, improving the environment and quality of life as the world faces climate challenges. DCCE Director-General Pirun Saiyasitpanich noted the environmental issues in Thailand stem from human actions, including excessive resource use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a global crisis. Addressing…
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SkyHydrant system brings clean water to Chiang Rai
In the wake of devastating floods, a rural Thai school has been thrown a lifeline—clean drinking water. Disaster Aid Thailand and Disaster Aid Australia, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chiang Khong, installed a SkyHydrant water filtration system at Pang Hat Sahasat School, Wiang Kaen district, Chiang Rai province on September 5 and 6. The installation couldn’t have come…
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Flood turns Sukhothai village into lake, isolates residents
A flood has turned Ban Nong Non village in Sukhothai province into a vast lake, with residents relying on boats for transportation. The floodwaters have impacted over 12,000 rai of land for the past two weeks, isolating the village. Ban Nong Non village in Sukhothai province remains submerged under floodwaters, creating a lake-like appearance that has attracted visitors from nearby…
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Koh Kong residents face prolonged flooding until Loy Krathong
Residents of Koh Kong, Sukhothai, have been struggling with persistent floods since August, with concerns that the situation might extend until the Loy Krathong festival in November. Locals reveal that annual flooding is a recurring issue they have faced for as long as they can remember. Today, September 9, a report highlighted that the water levels in the Yom River,…
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River runs deep: Thai minister dives into Chao Phraya water woes
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat took centre stage yesterday as she inspected water management in the Chao Phraya River basin. In a high-stakes visit, she was joined yesterday, September 8, by her no-nonsense predecessor Thamanat Prompow, Deputy Minister Akara Prompow, and Deputy Minister Itthi Sirilattthayakorn. The power-packed team first swooped into Chai Nat, where they meticulously reviewed operations at…
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Thailand rice is on the rise with global GI glamour
The Thailand Rice Department is on a mission to put Thai rice in the global spotlight by promoting its distinctive strains with certified Geographical Indication (GI) labels to a wider audience. Farming communities in Phatthalung and Trang in the south, along with Phayao in the north, have crafted premium rice products that command top prices. These farmers are betting on…
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House passes 3.7 trillion baht budget plan after tepid debate
After a three-day debate that barely sparked a fire, the House of Representatives finally pushed through the colossal 3.7 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. In a vote held late last night, the bill was approved by a margin of 309 to 155, with four MPs opting to abstain, leaving no one without a voice. Deputy Prime…
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Thailand’s life-saving tech boost to guard against natural disasters
Thailand is gearing up to supercharge its natural disaster warning system with a sweeping expansion of automated monitoring stations. In a bold move to protect lives and property, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday, September 3, by the Friends in Need Volunteers Foundation and various national agencies, marking the launch of the second phase of a nationwide project.…
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Bangkok’s flood defences on high alert: River embankment boost
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that the Chao Phraya River embankment is ready to handle the first surge of northern floodwaters, with an additional capacity of 1.75 metres. Officials are ordering drainage in canals and warning 17 communities outside the embankment to prepare for potential flooding tomorrow. Chadchart, alongside Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon and the Drainage and Sewerage Department, inspected…
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Phuket: Pregnant whale met tragic end due to floating garbage
A pregnant whale was found dead on a Phuket beach, tragically suffocated by a stomach full of floating rubbish. The grim incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the devastating impact of marine pollution. The 2.24-metre-long female Dwarf Sperm Whale was discovered on Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thalay subdistrict, Thalang district, yesterday, September 2. Experts from the Upper…
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Phitsanulok governor addresses waste crisis after landfill closure
Phitsanulok’s provincial governor issued an urgent directive to local government organisations to address the overflowing rubbish problem after a private landfill was closed. Residents have complained about the stench and need for a solution. Reporters yesterday, September 2, surveyed the large piles of rubbish accumulating along the roadside near the irrigation canal behind Naresuan University in Tha Pho, Mueang district,…
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Flooding disrupts Thai agriculture, vegetable prices surge
Flooding in several provinces across Thailand has led to significant disruptions in the supply of agricultural products, prompting the Commerce Ministry to closely monitor price movements. According to Wattanasak Sur-iam, Director-General of the Internal Trade Department, the floods have reduced supply, causing a noticeable increase in vegetable prices compared to last week. Hom mali paddy rice is currently priced at…
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Residents protest 200-billion-baht dam project in Phrae
Approximately 150 residents from Tambon Sa-Ieab in Phrae‘s Song district gathered yesterday, September 1 to protest against the proposed Kaeng Sue Ten dam project, arguing it would impact thousands of households and devastate over 10,000 rai of prime forest. The protesters, who assembled at Wat Sri Don Chai, voiced their disapproval of politicians advocating for the dam‘s revival following recent…
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Wealthy woman caught tossing trash into Chon Buri sea
Social media users this week were outraged after a shocking video emerged of a woman in her forties or fifties tossing a bag of trash into the sea from the Cholamarkwithi Bridge in Chon Buri province. The footage, captured by a dashboard camera and shared on the Facebook page Chon Buri News, shows the woman pulling up in a black…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and potential flooding
The Thai National Water Resources Office (ONWR) issued a nationwide water situation forecast yesterday at 7am. A moderate monsoon trough is expected to affect northern, northeastern, and central Thailand from September 1 to 3, merging with a strong low-pressure system over the central South China Sea. The southwest monsoon will also impact the Andaman Sea, southern, and eastern regions, as…
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Bangkok braces for river’s ride: Chao Phraya goes with the flow
Heavy flooding in northern Thailand is now wreaking havoc in Bangkok, with the capital bracing itself for the Chao Phraya River to burst its banks, according to the Royal Irrigation Department (RID). Floodwaters from the northern provinces are surging into Bangkok, spurred by a rushed discharge from the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat. This dam, crucial for regulating water…
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Rescue team saves men trapped in flooded pigsty in Lampang
Rescuers navigated a motorised flat-bottomed boat through strong currents to save two middle-aged men trapped in a pigsty in a flooded field. Rising waters from a rapidly flowing stream left the men stranded and unable to escape. At 2.30pm yesterday, August 28, Katha Leelayut, leader of the Wang Nuea Rescue Association in Lampang province, and his team set out to…
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Chiang Mai waterfall closed after flash floods, tourists banned
The Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed due to flash floods, with tourists being prohibited from visiting until conditions improve. Local officials are closely monitoring the situation. Flash floods have led to the temporary closure of the Mae Sa Waterfall in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, located in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai. This decision was made to…
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Sukhothai flood: 20-metre barrier breach impacts over 100 homes
Sukhothai’s Sawankhalok district faces a severe crisis as a water barrier has broken, creating a 20-metre gap, causing massive flooding. Over 100 households have been affected. Yesterday, August 27, reports indicated that the water level in the Yom River, Sawankhalok district, Sukhothai province, continued to rise. Water has seeped under the riverbank barrier at Village No. 6, Tha Thong subdistrict,…
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Heavy rain triggers flash floods in Phayao’s Phu Sang district
Heavy overnight rain in Phayao triggered flash floods in Phu Sang district in northern Thailand, causing significant damage across five sub-districts and forcing residents to flee their homes. The district chief has ordered an urgent assessment of the damage. Around midnight, relentless heavy rain battered Phayao province, continuing through the early hours. By 4am, today, August 28, accumulated forest runoff…
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Mae Moh gets a farm makeover: Modern methods in full bloom
The Mae Moh Agricultural Community in Lampang Province is witnessing a significant transformation in its farming practices, focusing on modern and sustainable methods. Red oak, green oak, kale, cos, frisée iceberg, and other fresh vegetables are thriving in the community’s plots, ready for harvest. This shift towards a modern farming model is a step towards Smart Farming for the region.…
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Pattaya City launches flood relief donation points for North Thailand
Pattaya City is rallying together with Bang Lamung district, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation, and Pattaya Police Station to launch donation points for flood relief in North Thailand. The initiative, spearheaded by Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampiches, Prasert Thongthitcharoen of the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation, and Petty Officer 1st Class Pittayaphon Kokaew, Bang Lamung District Chief, aims to bring aid…
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Yingluck’s 6 trillion baht water project revived to address floods
A massive water management project initially proposed by Yingluck Shinawatra may be revived, aiming to tackle Thailand’s recurring issues of flooding and drought. The initiative, projected to cost around 6 trillion baht, has been deemed a national priority by Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. “The matter was first raised by the Yingluck government. In 2011, a budget of 2…
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Tunnel collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima leaves three missing
A tunnel collapse at the Khlong Khanan Chit high-speed rail station in Nakhon Ratchasima left three people missing. The Nakhon Ratchasima governor ordered immediate rescue efforts. The incident occurred approximately 3 to 4 kilometres from the tunnel entrance. Today, August 25, Chaiwat Chuenkosum, the Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, instructed Kanachanon Srijaroen, the District Chief of Pak Chong, to inspect the…
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Massive oil slick threatens Sattahip’s pristine shores
A massive oil slick has been discovered just 4 nautical miles from Bang Saray Beach, sending shockwaves through the local community and environmental groups. The slick, stretching over 2 kilometres, was first reported in the afternoon, igniting fears of its devastating impact on marine life and the booming tourism industry. Bang Saray Community Enterprise for Tourism and Sports chairperson Udom…
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Efforts underway to prevent oil spill from reaching Chon Buri beach
Local officials in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province are battling to prevent an oil spill in Bang Saray Bay from reaching the coast. The source of the oil remains undisclosed. Locals and tourists spotted lines of oil, approximately 3-to-4 kilometres offshore in Bang Saray Bay in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, yesterday, August 22. The spill was…
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1 killed and 4 injured in flash flood and landslide in Phuket (video)
A devastating flash flood and landslide struck the popular holiday resort of Phuket near Kata Temple in the Mueang district, killing one person and injuring four others. Thai government officials made it known that people were reported missing but their identities have not yet been made public. Prachachat news agency reported that heavy rain hit many areas of Phuket at…
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No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand
The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control. With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up…
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