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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Pattaya breathes easy: Beach paradise takes fresh air steps
Pattaya, Thailand’s renowned beachside hotspot, is upping its game beyond tourism, making strides to keep the city’s air fresh and clean. With its sandy beaches and buzzing nightlife, Pattaya attracts droves of visitors each year. Now, city officials are ensuring that visitors and residents alike can breathe easy by prioritising air quality. In a bid to tackle pollution head-on, the…
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Spring surprise: Flooding ‘washes out’ Chiang Mai roads (video)
Water springs in Mueang Na, Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai have been causing unusual flooding, leading to road closures. Normally dry for six months, these springs have continuously flowed, affecting multiple areas simultaneously and disrupting local transport. A TikTok user, under the account @j_khamsan, shared videos highlighting the strange phenomenon of multiple water springs in Mueang Na, Chiang Dao district, Chiang…
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Phuket residents alarmed by sudden worm invasion
Residents of the Phuket Villa 3 housing estate in Wichit found themselves in disarray yesterday when a staggering swarm of “norn pradu” worms descended upon their community. The unexpected invasion left the public park and its surroundings teeming with these small creatures, causing significant distress among the locals. These worms, measuring roughly 2 to 3 centimetres in length, quickly spread…
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Bangkok air quality goes up in smoke as pm2.5 levels spike
Air quality in Bangkok has deteriorated significantly, with hazardous PM2.5 levels recorded across 49 districts. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) warned citizens about the pollution levels, which were found to be above the standard threshold for health safety. The alarming situation was reported at 7am today, November 13, when GISTDA, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science,…
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Going bananas: Thailand’s creative crackdown on Hua Hin’s monkey mayhem
Innovative measures are underway in Thailand to address issues of monkey disturbances in the Hua Hin area, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), in collaboration with the Hua Hin Municipality, has launched a unique operation employing remote control traps to relocate monkeys from Khao Takiab and Khao Hin Lek Fai. The operation,…
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Dugong dilemma: Thailand’s gentle sea giants face extinction risk
Thailand’s beloved dugongs are in dire straits, prompting an urgent meeting by the National Policy and Planning Committee on Marine and Coastal Resources Management. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, the focus was squarely on the alarming rise in dugong deaths in recent weeks. With representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and the Department of Marine and…
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Bangkok air pollution spikes as 35 areas exceed safe PM2.5 levels
Bangkok faced a spike in PM2.5 pollution levels, with 35 areas registering unhealthy air quality, prompting swift action from City Hall. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued warnings to help residents mitigate health impacts from the pollutants. PM2.5, or ultra-fine dust particles, exceeded the safe threshold of 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in several areas, according to AirBKK, BMA’s…
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EF Ultimate Break partners with Thailand for eco-friendly holidays
EF Ultimate Break, the experiential travel leader for the 18 to 35 crowd, is taking travel to a whole new level of responsibility with its latest initiative, launched in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Aimed at delivering sustainable, ethically crafted adventures, this new line-up of Thailand tours promises eco-conscious itineraries that will make every traveller feel like…
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Hazardous e-waste seized near community in Nakhon Pathom
Thai police seized a significant quantity of hazardous electronic waste near a community in the central province of Nakhon Pathom, raising concerns about chemical contamination and pollution. Residents had complained about dust and water runoff from the factory, fearing environmental hazards. Police Colonel Arun Wachirasrikukanya, Deputy Commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, led a team of officers…
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Chon Buri bone of contention: Mystery skulls spark alarm
Residents of Chon Buri province were alarmed by the discovery of a large number of skulls and bones discarded in their area, raising concerns about the source and legality of the remains. The incident was reported yesterday, November 6, and locals have appealed for police to investigate the matter promptly. The unsettling discovery was made in Moo 3, Ban Suan…
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Dugong numbers in Andaman Sea may drop 70% in four years
Dugong populations in the Andaman Sea face a potential 70% decline within the next four years, primarily due to a shrinking supply of seagrass, their main food source. This alarming prediction was made by a marine biologist, emphasising the urgent need for conservation efforts to save this vulnerable marine mammal. Thon Thamrongnawasawat highlighted the crisis in seagrass reserves, stressing the…
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Phuket project aims to save dugongs with new food plots
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in Phuket has initiated an experimental project to combat the decline of seagrass and provide supplementary food for dugongs. The project, currently underway on Rawai Beach, seeks to prevent the extinction of these marine mammals. Experimentation began at the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, where they have established natural…
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Purr-fect: Chubby clouded leopard charms all at Chiang Mai Safari (video)
A clouded leopard named Mangpor, residing in Chiang Mai Night Safari, has captured the hearts of social media users with its chubby appearance and playful nature. The 16 year old feline, often mistaken for a giant cat, has become an Internet sensation as visitors flock to catch a glimpse of its endearing antics. Mangpor is part of the Jaguar Trail,…
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Rare albino fish caught in Satun canal sparks ethical debate
A young man fishing along a canal in Satun province caught five fish but it was the last one that left him astonished. The unusual fish had an albino-like body shimmering in the sunlight, prompting questions about whether it should be kept or released into the wild. News emerged yesterday, November 4, of a young man who had set out to…
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Monitor lizards now open for commercial harvesting in Thailand
A bold new opportunity has emerged in the world of wildlife conservation and commerce: monitor lizards and two species of swiftlet birds have just been reclassified as protected species eligible for commercial farming. Thanks to a landmark move by Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Committee, Germain’s swiftlet (Aerodramus germani), Black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus), and monitor lizards can now be legally…
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Sea turtle found tangled and lifeless on Phuket beach
In a heartbreaking discovery, a young olive ridley sea turtle was found dead, entangled in fishing debris on Phuket’s Pak Phra Beach. Officials from Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) were alerted to the tragedy on Tuesday, October 29, by the Marine National Park Operations Centre 2. The juvenile turtle, weighing only 3 kilogrammes, was identified by DMCR’s…
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Thailand boosts climate resilience in coastal areas with UN grant
Thailand is actively enhancing its capacity to tackle the escalating threat of climate change, particularly in its marine and coastal areas. This initiative, a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is titled Increasing Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in Marine and Coastal Areas along the Gulf of Thailand, and is supported by a US$3 million (101.2 million baht)…
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Reservoir of worry: Nakhon Ratchasima braces for 2025 dry spell
Nakhon Ratchasima is currently facing a severe water crisis, with alarmingly low water levels in its reservoirs. Concerns are growing about potential water shortages for consumption and use in the dry season of 2025. The provincial governor urged residents to conserve water and may consider halting off-season rice farming. A meeting was held yesterday, October 30, at the new building…
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‘Fries’ for change: Waste Not, Want Not turns grease into green efforts
Surat Thani Municipality launched a notable initiative titled Waste Not, Want Not, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recycling used cooking oil. The project, in collaboration with the New Biodiesel Company, encourages residents to exchange used cooking oil for fresh Rin Tip brand oil. The agreement was signed yesterday, October 30, at Surat Thani Municipality’s conference room by Prachert…
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Thailand, Laos, Myanmar launch Clear Sky to combat pollution
In a bid to blow away the blanket of smog smothering Southeast Asia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar joined forces with a sparkling new initiative: the Clear Sky Strategy 2024-2030. The grand unveiling took place at Bangkok’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, with VIPs Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand’s top minister, and Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, leading the…
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Thailand drones on: Flying tech to lift farmers’ fortunes
Thailand is ready to support the effort to boost farmer access to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, to improve the management of the nation’s agricultural land, Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong announced. Prasert made this commitment during a Senate meeting, responding to questions from Senator Premsak Piayura regarding the government’s strategies to enhance…
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EU Green Diplomacy Weeks in ASEAN 2024 kicks off with a fun run/walk and green action events
The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, officially kicked off the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The launch featured already 2nd edition of the dynamic five-kilometre fun walk and run titled “EU-ASEAN Green Transition for Sustainable Planet and More Positive Impact” (GET UP and MOVE). Around 500 participants took part, including representatives…
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Mekong River dams threaten Thailand’s environment and economy, warns NHRC
Transboundary hydropower dam projects along the Mekong River could jeopardise Thailand’s environment, economy, and community welfare, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on October 3, the NHRC highlighted its concerns about four hydropower dam projects: Ban Koum Dam, Sanakham Dam, Phou Ngoy Dam, and Pak Chom Dam, all situated…
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Chiang Mai cleans up: Sweeping success after the flood
Local government officials in Chiang Mai are shouting from the rooftops about their stellar post-flood recovery, claiming they’ve already swept through 90% of the streets and cleared 40% of the waste. Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn couldn’t be prouder, crediting a dynamic duo effort between the public and private sectors for tackling the flooded chaos with gusto. With the bustling high season…
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New king cobra species discovered in Thailand (video)
New research has revealed four distinct species of king cobra, including a new variant found in Thailand. Nirut Chamngam, the head of the Herpetology Group, shared this discovery on social media, explaining the differences and implications of these findings. Nirut Chamngam, an expert in snakes and reptiles, posted on Facebook about a new species of king cobra. He clarified that…
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Rare Malayan tapir spotted near Thai-Malaysian border
A rare sighting of a Malayan tapir near the Thai-Malaysian border in Narathiwat province has caught the attention of Thai officials from the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. Local villagers alerted officials yesterday, October 18, after spotting the tapir on October 16 at around 7pm, feeding on fallen rambutans for about an hour before retreating towards the border. Residents in the Waeng…
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Get ready to sea it all: Trang opens for snorkeling with marine life
Trang province is now ready to welcome tourists to admire the stunning beauty of the sea at Lao Liang Island. Visitors can snorkel to see schools of anchovy swimming around coral reefs and spot dozens of clownfish among vibrant sea anemones, showcasing the richness of natural marine life. Anan Gingkoyao, also known as Bang Daad, a 36 year old local…
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Phuket landslide victims to receive 9,000 baht compensation soon
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat assured that compensation from the central government to victims and survivors of the landslide in Kata will be delivered soon. The amount, 9,000 baht per person, will be paid directly into claimants’ bank accounts, Governor Sophon told reporters. He was speaking at the site of the landslide following a merit-making ceremony to support those who suffered…
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Powering on: Thailand energy plan sparks a 2.9 trillion baht boost
Thailand’s new National Energy Plan (NEP) aims to drive significant investment and promote clean energy, with a projected 2.9 trillion baht in capital spending over the next 13 years. Central to this initiative is the emphasis on solar energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The NEP 2024, scheduled for implementation from this year until 2037, integrates a comprehensive power development…
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Researchers discover four new plant species in northern Thailand
Researchers have identified four new plant species in northern Thailand, showcasing the nation’s rich biodiversity. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the findings, which were made by the department’s researchers in collaboration with botanists from Kasetsart University and Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Attapol Charoenchansa, the department’s chief, stated that the discoveries were part of…
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