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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Better Pattaya plan unites business leaders for greener future
Pattaya’s mayor is doubling down on his Better Pattaya campaign, calling on businesses and residents alike to join forces in turning the beachside city into a cleaner, greener, and more resilient urban hub. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet took centre stage at the annual meeting of the Pattaya-Chon Buri Business and Tourism Association (PCBTA), held at the Sabai Sabana Hotel, where he…
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Phu Kradueng cable car set for 2027 completion amid eco concerns
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports confirmed plans to introduce a cable car at Phu Kradueng National Park by 2027, a project initially proposed over 40 years ago. The cable car will accommodate up to 5,000 visitors daily, a limit set by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to mitigate environmental impact. The project has faced prolonged…
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Overturned truck causes crude oil spill on Bangkok road
A sleepy trucker turned a Bangkok expressway into a hazardous oil slick early this morning after dozing off behind the wheel and flipping his 18-wheeler. The incident unfolded at 1.20am today, May 22, on the Kanchanaphisek Road, near kilometre marker 52+900 in Prawet district, as the 18-wheel trailer truck veered into the central reservation and overturned, spilling over 30 tonnes…
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New endangered tree species discovered in South Thailand
A rare tree species has been discovered deep in the wetlands of South Thailand, yet it’s already fighting for survival. Thai researchers have uncovered a brand-new species of tree in Surat Thani province, in what’s being hailed as a major botanical breakthrough. Dubbed “Tharathum,” a poetic blend of the Thai words for water (thara) and tree (tham), the plant was discovered growing…
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Officials capture 94 iguanas wreaking havoc on Thai crops
They’re not native, they’re not welcome — and they’re not slowing down. A swarm of invasive iguanas is causing chaos in central Thailand, and wildlife officials have launched a full-scale capture mission before the situation spirals further out of control. Over five days last week, from May 13 to 17, Thai wildlife officials captured 94 free-roaming iguanas on Khao Phraya…
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17 Irrawaddy dolphins left in Songkhla Lake amid extinction crisis
In Songkhla Lake, the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin population has dwindled to only 17, leading the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) to intensify efforts to preserve the species and rejuvenate the lake’s delicate ecosystem. Minister Chalermchai Sri-on visited the lake on Monday, May 19, highlighting the importance of balancing conservation with the development of the Songkhla Lake bridge…
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Chiang Rai water contamination raises public health alarm
A toxic tide is rising in northern Thailand. Dangerous levels of arsenic and lead have been found in the Sai River and parts of the Kok River in Chiang Rai, triggering serious concerns over public health, the environment, and local food sources. According to a damning new report from the Office of Environmental and Pollution Control Region 1 in Chiang…
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Thailand launches first leopard shark rewilding project in Phuket
Thailand has launched its first endangered shark rewilding initiative in Phuket, targeting the restoration of the Indo-Pacific leopard shark’s population. This effort is a collaborative venture involving government bodies, conservation groups, and international partners, marking a significant milestone in the country’s marine conservation efforts. The StAR Project Thailand (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery), introduced on May 16, is spearheaded by…
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Splash and dash! Pattaya swamped as storm lashes city (video)
A torrential morning downpour left Pattaya swamped as a storm left roads underwater, traffic crawling, and snakes slithering into the chaos. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) revealed that there’s more to come. A heavy rainstorm hammered Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri for over an hour starting at 9.36am, yesterday, May 14, flooding large swathes of Pattaya and grinding morning…
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Fire at Bangkok factory causes toxic air pollution and evacuation
A fire broke out at a factory in the capital containing 300 tonnes of plastic pellets, resulting in air pollution and chemical emissions. Residents within a 300-metre radius were evacuated, with recommendations to avoid using air conditioning and instead use fans for ventilation. At 1.30pm yesterday, May 12, at the incident command centre located at Lam Pa Ong School, Doctor…
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Pattaya zoo rolls out ice treats to beat the heat
With Thailand baking in brutal summer heat, Khao Kheow Open Zoo has found a deliciously clever way to keep its furry and feathered residents chill — frozen treats, bamboo bowls, and a whole lot of enrichment. The zoo, located in Chon Buri, has launched a refreshing initiative as part of its Animal Enrichment programme, serving up icy snacks to beat…
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Thailand’s solar rooftop market to see growth amid falling prices
The solar rooftop market in Thailand is poised for increased competition, driven by decreasing prices, a rise in supply from manufacturers, and government initiatives to promote renewable energy. EnergyLIB, a solar energy solutions provider, has introduced a solar system for townhouses, while a consortium including German cable manufacturer Lapp Holding Asia, Hong Kong-based industrial conglomerate Jebsen and Jessen Group, and…
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Krabi locals team up to tackle marine waste in coastal cleanup
A stunning community effort in Krabi has seen volunteers from across the region band together to tackle the growing problem of marine waste along the Ao Ching Chang coastline. The clean-up, which took place yesterday, May 7, focused on removing harmful debris and preserving the area’s fragile marine environment. Led by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and…
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Ancient seashells from Jurassic era uncovered in Surat Thani
In a stunning discovery that has put Surat Thani in the spotlight, a bunch of ancient seashell fossils have been unearthed in the south of Thailand, offering a rare glimpse into the distant past. Experts believe these fossilised treasures are over 145 million years old, dating back to the Jurassic period. The fossils were found across four distinct sites, including…
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Don’t panic: Blaring phone alerts hit Thailand in disaster drill
Don’t panic if your phone blares out an emergency alert this week—it’s not the end of the world, just a test. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is stepping up its game in disaster preparedness with a nationwide trial of its Cell Broadcast warning system. The tests, rolled out in three phases across May, aim to ensure the…
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Phuket fights erosion as turtles and dugongs make a comeback
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chalermchai Sri-on has announced an urgent expansion of erosion control efforts at Sai Kaew Beach in Sirinat National Park near Phuket, following severe shoreline damage and disruption to local communities caused by last year’s monsoon season. During an inspection on May 3, Chalermchai revealed that erosion had severely disrupted transport routes and threatened nearby…
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Giant monitor lizard statue draws crowds to Bangkok park
It slinks, it swims, and now it poses — Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizard just got a supersized tribute in the city’s most famous park. Tourists and locals heading to Lumphini Park can now snap selfies with a massive foam monitor lizard statue — a new temporary installation celebrating one of Bangkok’s most misunderstood but iconic residents. Sanon Wangsangboon, Deputy Governor…
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Pattaya rolls out posh loos to keep tourists cool and comfortable
Pattaya City is taking public convenience to the next level with the launch of high-end mobile toilets equipped with air conditioning, designed to serve residents and tourists, and it’s free of charge. The first of these deluxe loo units is now stationed outside Walking Street, near the South Pattaya Pumping Station. The air-conditioned facility, which caters to both men and…
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Monkey mayhem: Nearly 300 sterilised in Lopburi crackdown
It’s monkey business no more in Lopburi as wildlife officials stepped in to snip the chaos—literally. In a bid to ease tensions between humans and monkeys, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has captured and sterilised 299 monkeys in Chai Badan district, Lopburi province. The operation, which ran from April 24-29, is part of a wider…
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Fake news sparks panic over Narathiwat dam collapse
In a recent case of fake news causing unnecessary panic, officials debunked claims circulating on social media that a dam in Narathiwat province is at risk of collapsing due to sea waves triggered by a recent earthquake in the United States. The Thailand Anti-Fake News Centre was quick to clarify that these rumours were false and misleading. They reassured the…
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Phuket earthquake sinking rumour slammed as fake news
Rumours that Phuket could vanish beneath the waves after a major earthquake sent shockwaves across social media but officials say it’s all nonsense. The Anti-Fake News Centre stepped in yesterday, April 24, to squash a viral claim suggesting that the popular Thai island could sink into the sea following a massive tremor. The panic-inducing posts also alleged a catastrophic death…
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Twin tremors hit Pai as Thailand’s earthquake saga continues
Northern Thailand was rocked late last night by a pair of earthquakes in Mae Hong Son’s picturesque Pai district, sending tremors across two provinces and adding to a growing list of seismic shocks unsettling the region in recent weeks. At 10.27pm, yesterday, April 24, a 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck Wiang Nuea subdistrict in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, at a…
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Phuket to stage tsunami drill at Kamala Beach
Sun, surf… and sirens? Tourists and locals on Phuket’s Kamala Beach are set to witness a full-scale tsunami emergency drill as Thailand prepares for the worst with one of its biggest disaster response simulations to date. From June 24 to 27, the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) will take part in the Crisis Management Exercise: C-MEX…
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Thai coral recovery: over 60% of bleached reefs saved
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has successfully rescued over 60% of the coral affected by bleaching since last year. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director General of the DMCR, reported that since April last year, approximately 60-80% of coral in Thailand’s waters experienced bleaching. Of these, 60% have been successfully revived, while the remainder perished. The bleaching was attributed to…
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Vacuum cleaners and air purifiers controlled to combat PM2.5
To combat the dangers of PM2.5 pollution and protect consumers from inflated prices, the Thai Cabinet has officially classified vacuum cleaners and air purifiers as controlled goods. This new regulation follows a recommendation by the Ministry of Commerce, which highlighted the essential role these devices play in mitigating the effects of harmful air pollution in homes. According to Commerce Minister…
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Phuket probes construction site over erosion concerns
Phuket officials have launched a major investigation into a hillside construction project in Karon after public concerns over potential illegal development and environmental damage. The inspection, conducted yesterday, April 21, was led by Surasak Anusorn, Director of the Phuket Natural Resources and Environment Office, and accompanied by officers from the Phuket Provincial Public Works and Town & Country Planning Office.…
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Thailand’s sarus cranes arrive in Vietnam for conservation
In a monumental step for wildlife conservation, six sarus cranes have arrived in Vietnam as part of an ambitious project to save the endangered species. The cranes, flown in from Thailand, were welcomed at Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap province, Vietnam, on Sunday, April 20, marking the beginning of a significant reintroduction programme aimed at restoring the species…
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Dust levels at Chatuchak building site exceed safety limits
The Department of Health has reported that tests on the site of the collapsed SAO building show levels of heavy metals and asbestos within the normal range, but PM10 dust levels exceed standards, potentially requiring long-term monitoring. Yesterday, April 18, Dr Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, revealed that a team from SEhRT was…
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Trash island no more! Koh Larn’s rubbish crisis nears fiery end
A long-awaited solution to Koh Larn’s mountain of rubbish is finally on the horizon, and it’s going up in smoke. The waste incineration plant on the popular tourist island near Pattaya is now 70% complete and expected to be operational within six months, according to Kiatsak Sriwongchai, the permanent secretary of Pattaya City. Construction of the plant began on May…
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Myanmar earthquake rattles northern Thailand border towns
Northern Thailand was rattled awake in the early hours of this morning as tremors from a Myanmar earthquake crept across the border, stirring fears of more seismic shocks to come. The 4.1-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar just after midnight today, April 16, sending tremors rippling across the Thai-Myanmar border and unsettling residents in the north, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.…
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