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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Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Glowing gold and sleek black eels captivate crowds at Thai temple
Villagers and tourists alike flocked to a Thai temple in Chon Buri to witness the enchanting sight of two extraordinary eels, one shimmering in dazzling gold, the other sleek in jet black. The eels swam in a basin at Wat Worapot Sangkhavas Temple in Phan Thong District, Chon Buri. The frenzy was sparked by a viral social media post showcasing…
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Power down for the planet: Bangkok joins global Earth Hour
To combat climate change, Bangkokians are urged to power off their lights and unused appliances from 8.30pm to 9.30pm tomorrow, aligning with the annual Earth Hour tradition observed internationally on the penultimate Saturday of March. Spearheaded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other partners since 2008, this symbolic gesture…
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Stink city: Residents hold noses as foul odour fills Bangkok streets
Residents in the capital city were left pinching their noses last night after an unpleasant smell permeated several districts of Bangkok. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) attributed the smell to a sudden weather shift and ensuing chemical reactions with airborne pollutants. The BMA issued the statement in response to numerous reports from citizens who were disturbed by a pungent, burning scent…
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Sutin: PM2.5 pollution focus of high stakes meeting with Cambodia
In a high-profile diplomatic move, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has declared war on PM2.5 pollution, setting the stage for a showdown with Cambodia. Sutin is gearing up for a fierce clash during the 16th General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Phnom Penh. He pointed fingers at Cambodian farm practices exacerbating pollution woes across borders. “I will confront Tea Seiha on…
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Water shortages strike two districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Prachuap Khiri Khan is hit by water shortages as two districts plunge into a state of emergency due to an unprecedented drought crisis. With acute water shortages ravaging communities, authorities issue a desperate plea for aid and conservation efforts. Acting Deputy Governor Kittiphong Sukhapakul officially declared drought disaster zones in two districts of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Monday. This decisive…
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Samut Songkhram takes bold steps to save aquatic ecosystem
To save Thailand’s aquatic ecosystem, the Samut Songkhram Provincial Fisheries Office launched a campaign against the invasive black chin tilapia species. Amidst concerns over the blackchin tilapia’s relentless invasion of natural water resources linked to vital rivers, the Tha Chin and Mae Klong, authorities are taking decisive action. The Samut Songkhram Provincial Fisheries Office took centre stage yesterday, unveiling a vigorous…
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Phayao to become Thailand’s next eco-tourism hotspot
In a move set to transform Phayao into Thailand’s next eco-tourism hotspot, the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, unleashed a whopping 300 million baht across 13 projects. This ambitious blueprint not only aims to catapult Phayao onto the global sustainable travel map but also promises a future where rubber farmers rejoice over record-breaking profits. PM Srettha, who also…
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NASA and GISTDA team up to clear the air with ASIA-AQ project
In a groundbreaking initiative, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has joined forces with Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to tackle the pervasive issue of air pollution through the Airborne and Satellite Investigation of the Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ) project, writes Zohaib “Zo” Sikander and Sasinaphat Aussavaratchatanakin. This collaboration marks a significant stride in using cutting-edge…
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Northern Thailand braces for severe air pollution crisis
Northern Thailand, specifically the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son, are bracing for severe PM2.5 air pollution. These areas, surrounded by mountains and hills, have previously been rated as the most polluted globally. The pollution crisis has strained the public healthcare system and forced locals to invest in air purifiers and face masks for protection. While…
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House Committee gets down to earth on Phuket land disputes
The Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment from the House of Representatives yesterday landed in Phuket to conduct a study tour and resolve land disputes. The visit, led by the committee chairman, Apichart Sirisunthon, who also holds the position of Secretary-General of the Move Forward Party (MFP), sought to address the local land disputes and wastewater issues. Numerous complaints…
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Thailand grapples with hazardous air quality in 30 provinces
Air pollution has escalated to crisis levels in 30 provinces across Thailand, with PM2.5 readings exceeding the safety threshold, particularly affecting the health of residents in 11 areas. The highest recorded level of these harmful particulates in the country, at 146.0 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), was in Mae Hong Son today, March 20. The Air Pollution Solution and Communication…
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Rare spoon-billed sandpipers sighted in Phetchaburi
Some of the world’s rarest migratory shorebirds, the spoon-billed sandpipers, have been sighted in the coastal haven of Phetchaburi. Phak Tale, nestled in Phetchaburi’s embrace, has become the temporary sanctuary for the illustrious spoon-billed sandpipers, captivating both local admirers and global enthusiasts alike. These elegant birds, distinguished by their distinctive spoon-shaped bills, are battling critical threats to their existence, magnifying…
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Thailand enforces ban on maize imports from field burning regions
The Government of Thailand has given the green light to a ban on maize imports from regions notorious for field burning, a practice contributing to the annual smog crisis. This legislation is slated to come into force within the year. This action is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the recurring smog issue, which the government primarily attributes to…
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Smokin’ setback: Forest fires force Bangkok Airways flight cancellations
Bangkok Airways had to cancel six flights at Mae Hong Son Airport this month due to smoke arising from widespread forest fires in the province. Bangkok Airways yesterday, March 18, cancelled flight PG 205, which runs from Bangkok to Lampang and then Mae Hong Son because the thick smoke affected the pilots’ visibility. Chiang Mai News reported that the flight…
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Forest fires in northern Thailand increase dangerous PM2.5 levels
Forest fires in the northern provinces of Thailand have sparked an increase in atmospheric PM2.5 levels, leading to a stern warning from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The department stated yesterday that severe legal consequences will be faced by those who illicitly ignite fires in forest lands. Department chief Athapol Charoenshunsa unveiled that they have recently…
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Thai govt resists declaring Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite pollution
The Government of Thailand has chosen not to declare Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite escalating air pollution, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The decision was largely influenced by concerns that such a declaration could negatively impact the province’s tourism industry. The Bangkok-born PM voiced his government’s stance on platform X, explaining that declaring the province a disaster zone…
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Government considers corn import ban to combat PM2.5 dust pollution
A potential ban on corn imports from neighbouring countries next year is being considered by the government to tackle the escalating issue of PM2.5 fine dust pollution in the northern regions. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently visited Chiang Mai to assess the preventive actions and updates provided by government agencies regarding wildfire and haze prevention measures. The prime minister has…
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Bangkok’s children gasp for air amidst pollution nightmare
Children in Bangkok suffer daily from heavy air pollution, battling constant coughs and other possible respiratory illnesses. Pupils at Suan Lumphini School confront the harsh reality of their environment each morning as they assemble under coloured flags denoting the day’s air quality: a distressing routine with red signalling the worst and blue the best. Thailand grapples annually with dire air…
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UN official urges stronger action for sustainable development goals
The Chief of Outreach & Engagement at the UN Global Compact highlighted a pressing need for stronger collective action from all stakeholders to reach the United Nation’s sustainable development goals by 2030. During a media interaction in Thailand, Sue Allchurch expressed concerns about the sluggish progress towards these goals, despite global recognition of their importance. Allchurch outlined various obstacles that…
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Chiang Mai crowned world’s most polluted as smog crisis worsens
Chiang Mai recently ascended to an undesirable top spot on the global stage as it experiences severe air pollution, making it the most polluted city in the world. The air quality in this northern Thai city has reached levels that pose significant health risks due to the pervasive spread of PM2.5 particles. At 3am today, March 15, the air quality…
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New tiny scorpion species discovered in Thai national park
A research team from Chulalongkorn University found a new species of tiny scorpions at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi. A team, spearheaded by Wasin Nawanetiwong from Chulalongkorn University, alongside Associate Professor Dr Nattapoj Vajarasathira, unearthed a new addition to the arachnid family. Dubbed Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) krachan, this diminutive creature, barely stretching over 1 inch (25 centimetres) in length, proudly…
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Bite back: Call for Thai Parliament to ban shark fin consumption
To safeguard marine ecosystems, WildAid and Love Wildlife Foundation penned an open letter to Thailand’s Parliament, urging an immediate halt to the serving and consumption of shark fin. This call to action follows shocking revelations of shark fin soup being dished out at Parliament House, sparking outrage among conservationists and environmentalists alike. In a detailed plea to the President of…
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Phuket mayor guarantees drought-proof supply for dry season
The Phuket Town mayor confirmed that the Phuket City Municipality has a sufficient water supply to sustain residents throughout the remainder of the dry season. However, he is encouraging residents to be mindful of their water consumption. Currently, the municipality’s water reserves are 80% full, according to Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas. This supply is anticipated to be ample for producing tap…
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Cash cow: Albino buffalo sells for record 18 million baht
A rare albino buffalo from Phetchaburi has charged into the record books, fetching a staggering 18 million baht, marking it the most expensive buffalo deal in Thai history, proving that this buffalo truly stands out from the herd when it comes to valuable livestock. Renowned for its breathtaking beauty and colossal stature, Ko Muang Phet isn’t just another farm animal,…
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Sustainability Week Asia 2024: A call to action for climate crisis
Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke at the Sustainability Week Asia 2024 event hosted by Economist Impact, under The Economist media group, held at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok. In his opening remarks, Parnpree rallied an esteemed audience comprising business magnates, both domestic and international, alongside government representatives, academia, and experts. Highlighting the gravity of the…
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Tourists attacked as hungry monkeys swarm Bang Saen Beach
In the blistering heat of midday last Friday, March 8, a frenzy of ravenous monkeys cascaded down from Khao Sam Muk, invading Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province. With desperation in their eyes, the furry bandits eagerly awaited sustenance from unsuspecting tourists, with some even resorting to car-climbing antics in a desperate bid for food. Reports flooded in of…
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Investigation launched into land encroachment at Khao Yai National Park
A probe has been set in motion regarding allegations of land encroachment at Khao Yai National Park, with a firm commitment from authorities to reclaim properties illegally built on plots meant for landless farmers and penalise all officials implicated in the scandal. This development follows a meeting between Thanadon Suwannarit, a consultant to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thamanat…
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Phuket governor inspects Laem Nga beach reclaiming plans for public use
Sophon Suwannarat, the Governor of Phuket, undertook an inspection of Laem Nga Beach, situated at Koh Siray’s northern end yesterday. The primary objective was to evaluate plans for reclaiming the beach for public use. Last Thursday, local villagers assembled at the site to oppose the beach access’s closure by a private landowner. The protest sparked immediate action from officials who…
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Thai agency may include monkeys in wildlife compensation scheme
The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) is contemplating the inclusion of monkeys in its wildlife compensation programme. This consideration arises following an incident where a woman suffered injuries from a macaque attack, leading her to file a police complaint to secure compensation for her medical expenses. The victim, Arikanta Kanchanasinmetha, reported the incident at Tha…
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Chiang Mai faces world’s second-worst air quality amid pollution crisis
Northern Thailand is currently grappling with severe air pollution, with Chiang Mai experiencing the second-worst air quality globally. As of today, March 8, air quality monitoring has revealed that particulate matter PM2.5 levels have exceeded the standard in 46 provinces, prompting health warnings and advisories for residents to limit outdoor activities. PM2.5 concentrations surpassed Thailand’s safety standards in various regions,…
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