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.
-
Sponsored 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
-
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…
-
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…
-
Solar shockwave: Pattaya police slash bills with new power move
In a bold step towards a greener future, Nong Yai Police Station in East Pattaya has gone solar, slashing energy costs and setting a shining example for other public institutions. The station, now powered by an impressive 12-kilowatt solar system, is leading the charge in sustainable energy practices. The eco-friendly setup includes a state-of-the-art 12-kilowatt Deye Hybrid Inverter, 28 solar…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
1,000 protest in Phrae over 200-billion-baht Kaeng Suea Ten Dam plan
Approximately 1,000 residents gathered in Phrae to protest against the Pheu Thai Party’s plan to revive the contentious Kaeng Suea Ten Dam project in Song district. The demonstrators assembled in tambon Sa Lab, carrying three coffins inscribed with the names of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, and Former Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
PHIST 2024 calls for sustainable development in Thailand
“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” Joni Mitchell once sang—a line that now eerily echoes the over-development plaguing Thailand’s top tourist hotspots. With the recent catastrophic floods in Phuket raising alarm bells, are these disasters a grim glimpse of the future? And is anyone paying attention to the growing environmental crisis? These questions took centre stage at…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Nonthaburi residents anxious as flood barrier remains unrepaired
Residents of Nonthaburi expressed concern for a section of the flood barrier along the Chao Phraya River which collapsed four months ago and remains unrepaired. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has only erected a temporary earthen dam, leaving locals doubtful of its effectiveness in preventing flooding. The flood barrier, spanning about 75 metres from the Pak Khlong Bang Kruai watergate…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Thai ministers set up flood command centre to tackle rising tides
Thai ministers ordered the establishment of a Flood Situation Command Centre to tackle the severe flooding sweeping across the nation. With a unified command structure, the newly formed operations centre is set to streamline water management efforts and mitigate the crisis. Leading this critical initiative is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai. The government has reassured the…
-
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,…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
Mekong floods prompt calls to halt Pak Beng Dam project
Floodwaters from the Mekong River have surged over its banks, affecting agricultural areas and prompting calls for the Thai government to review water management plans and delay the construction of the Pak Beng Dam. Yesterday, August 25, it was reported from the banks of the Mekong River in Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province, that water levels continue to rise…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Baby elephant cries as mother swept away in Thai floods (video)
A baby elephant’s fearful calls echoed as its mother was swept away by powerful floodwaters in northern Thailand. Torrential rains overnight led to severe flooding in several northern provinces, including Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, causing widespread damage to homes and agricultural lands. The dramatic incident unfolded when a large mother elephant was caught in the fierce currents, struggling…
-
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…
-
Mystical turtle discovered at Chon Buri temple
A rare turtle species was discovered at the Wang Sam Sien Chinese Temple on Big Buddha Hill, Khao Phra Tamnak in Chon Buri province. A concerned local, who believed they stumbled upon something extraordinary, alerted local officials after spotting the turtle lying exhausted under the sun, seemingly injured or ill. Katanyu Thongphu, a fisheries scientist from the Chon Buri Provincial…
-
Beloved gay penguin dies in Sydney (video)
In a tearful farewell, Sphen, the gentoo penguin who captivated the world as part of a famous same-sex power couple, has died at the age of 11. Sphen and his partner, Magic, shot to global fame in 2018 after falling in love at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and later adopting and raising two chicks. Their heartwarming story touched millions and…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.