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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10 dead, 16 injured, 101 missing in Bangkok earthquake
Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night yesterday, March 28, desperately searching for survivors under the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, Bangkok, after a deadly earthquake originating in Myanmar. At around 7pm, Petchkasem Rescue Foundation volunteers discovered further fatalities while investigating the site, particularly near the third floor, where massive structural cracks had formed. The collapse, caused…
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Earthquake devastates Myanmar and shakes Bangkok to its core (video)
A monster 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar yesterday, March 28, unleashing a wave of destruction across the conflict-ravaged nation and sending deadly tremors as far as Bangkok, where a high-rise collapsed in a cloud of dust. At least 144 people were killed and over 730 injured in Myanmar, but military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing warned, “The death toll and…
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Bangkok tower collapses in deadly quake: 40 trapped in rubble
Over 40 people remained trapped inside a building which collapsed near Chatuchak Park in Bangkok this afternoon after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, Friday March 28. Police, government officials and emergency services, confirmed that 43 workers remain trapped inside the rubble. Seven workers managed to escape the disaster. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National…
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Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red. Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s…
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Mysterious pipe near Pattaya beach sparks pollution concerns
A mysterious pipe emerging from the sea near Wong Amat Beach in Naklua has raised alarm among locals, prompting an investigation by Pattaya’s City Hall complaints division. The issue, which has been brewing for some time, has stirred a mix of reactions from residents, some praising the swift response, while others remain frustrated at the delay in addressing the matter.…
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Wildfires force indefinite closure of North Thailand park
Doi Phu Nang National Park in Phayao province has been closed indefinitely following a troubling rise in wildfires, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced yesterday, March 25. The park, known for its lush mountain ranges and diverse wildlife, will remain off-limits to both tourists and locals as authorities work to address the ongoing fire risks.…
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Thailand Industry Ministry probes illegal import of radioactive waste
The Ministry of Industry has launched an investigation into the illegal importation of over 10,000 tonnes of radioactive waste falsely labelled as zinc concentrate. The potentially dangerous material, tainted with radioactive caesium-137, was smuggled into Thailand using fraudulent documentation, sparking alarm over the safety of the country’s waste management practices. Yesterday, March 25, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan revealed the investigation,…
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Gas tanker grounds at Koh Larn, company admits negligence
An LPG tanker has run aground on Koh Larn, sending locals and tourists into a panic. The company behind the vessel has now issued a statement admitting to negligence while assuring the public that no dangerous leaks occurred. The NP Bangpakong, an LPG tanker operated by SC Group Holding Co. Ltd., ran aground at Laem Wan, near Ta Waen Beach…
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Final roar: Beloved white tiger ‘Sun’ bows out after cancer battle
A 16 year old white tiger passed away peacefully in its sleep on Sunday night, March 23. The beloved tiger, Sun, who had captured the hearts of many, succumbed to a long battle with gastrointestinal and lung cancer. Sun’s death has left a void at Bueng Chawak Wildlife Sanctuary, where it was cared for by a dedicated team. A team…
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Thailand battles severe air pollution across 61 provinces
Thailand is still grappling with severe air pollution, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safety standards in 61 provinces. Reports from the Pollution Control Department indicate that areas including Bangkok and the north are experiencing atmospheric conditions similar to a lid, trapping pollutants and causing concentrations to rise. The Air Pollution Solutions Communication Centre of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported at…
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Bangkok choking: PM2.5 toxic dust clouds capital in pollution panic
Bangkok and a staggering 57 out of 76 provinces across Thailand found themselves gasping for breath today, as hazardous PM2.5 dust levels enveloped the nation. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) sounded the alarm, highlighting the north, northeast, central plain, and east regions with red-level warnings, while the south enjoyed clearer skies. GISTDA deem PM2.5 levels below 37.5…
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United Nations urges Thailand to collaborate for sustainable future
A United Nations official called on the Government of Thailand, private sector, and communities to collaborate for the nation’s sustainable future. Kanni Wignaraja, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme, highlighted the need for inclusivity in these efforts. During her recent visit to Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2025, held from…
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Air pollution crisis: PM2.5 levels soar across Thailand’s provinces
The Air Pollution Solutions Communication Centre reported that PM2.5 levels exceeded the standard in 37 provinces across Thailand, with northern and northeastern regions experiencing the highest levels of air pollution. The situation is expected to worsen over the next seven days. The report today, March 20, highlighted that PM2.5 levels in several provinces, including Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon,…
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Mae Hong Son strengthens cross-border efforts on forest fires
Mae Hong Son province is stepping up its efforts to combat cross-border forest fires by ramping up cooperation with its neighbouring states. Deputy Governor Boonlue Thammathranurak highlighted the ongoing problem of illegal burning along the border between Mae Hong Son and countries such as Shan State, Karen State, and Kayah State. These areas have long faced the threat of uncontrolled…
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Shell shocked: Minister calls for united front to save dugongs (video)
An impassioned call for collective action to tackle the conservation crisis threatening seagrass and dugongs was issued by Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment at the Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort. The turtle release ceremony, held on March 14, emphasised the urgent need for all sectors to collaborate in safeguarding these endangered marine species. Chalermchai lauded the efforts…
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Endangered Bryde’s whale found dead off Samut Prakan coast
The remains of a giant Bryde’s whale have been discovered floating off the coast of Samut Prakan, sparking concerns over the threats faced by Thailand’s endangered marine life. Locals in Bang Pu, a coastal area near Bangkok, spotted the massive 8 to 9-metre-long whale carcass around 8.30am yesterday, March 7. The mature female, weighing approximately 8 tonnes, had been dead…
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Toxic air crisis: Dangerous PM2.5 levels choke 28 Thai provinces
Thailand’s air pollution crisis has intensified, with PM2.5 levels in 28 provinces, mostly in the north and northeast, exceeding the country’s safety standard, the government’s Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) confirmed this afternoon. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk…
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Sea turtle lays eggs on Koh Larn, delighting tourists
A rare sighting of a sea turtle laying eggs was reported yesterday at Tien Beach on Koh Larn, Chon Buri province. The unexpected event delighted tourists and observers, as the area, known for its high tourist traffic, had never before recorded sea turtle nesting. Upon learning about the event, Wuttipong Wong-in, director of the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Division…
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Thailand battles PM 2.5 with strict anti-burning measures
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) urged provinces to intensify efforts in monitoring PM 2.5 dust levels and hot spots while strictly enforcing laws against illegal burning. Phasakorn Boonyalak, Director-General of the DDPM and Secretary of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, yesterday, March 3, noted that while the overall PM 2.5 levels in the central, eastern,…
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Bangkok revamps Bueng Si Kan Lake for flood control
Bangkok is gearing up for a wetter future with a major transformation of Bueng Si Kan Lake in Lak Si district, turning it into a massive flood-control reservoir. The ambitious project is part of the city’s monkey cheek initiative to tackle increasing rainfall and prevent severe flooding in one of its most vulnerable neighbourhoods. Deputy Governor Wissanu Sabsomphon announced that…
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Cosmic spectacle: Rare planet parade visible this week in Thailand
Stargazers in Thailand are in for a celestial treat as a rare planetary alignment will light up the evening sky this week, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). For a limited time, all the visible planets in the Solar System will be lined up, creating a breathtaking parade that can be seen with the naked eye.…
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Udon Thani set to host first wetland horticultural expo
Narumon Pinyosinwat, the agriculture and cooperatives minister, assigned Anongnat Chakaew, her assistant secretary, to preside over a press conference introducing the Udonthani Horticultural Exposition 2026. During the event, Rapeepat Chantarasrivong, director-general of the Department of Agriculture, delegated Wilawan Kraikruan, deputy director-general, alongside Rachun Sunha, governor of Udon Thani province, to announce the province’s readiness under the theme Diversity of Life,…
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Cruise ship caught dumping trash into Chao Phraya River (video)
Outrage is sweeping Bangkok after shocking footage emerged of cruise ship staff dumping large amounts of trash into the Chao Phraya River every day. The scandal was exposed by former beauty queen Carla Porter, first runner-up of Miss Thailand World 2009, who posted the incriminating video on her Facebook page. The clip, secretly filmed by a friend, shows staff from…
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Phuket hotel project halted after environmental concerns raised
A controversial hotel project in Cherng Talay’s Pasak Soi 6 has been halted after outraged residents pressured officials to review its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), citing concerns about transparency, zoning violations, and environmental damage. The proposed Nebu Hotel, set to be a seven-storey building on a small 1,200-square-metre plot, was planned in a Yellow Zone designated for low-density residential use.…
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Phuket meeting targets land disputes and environmental issues
Phuket’s top officials gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, February 25, to confront the island’s escalating land disputes and environmental challenges. The high-stakes meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, aimed to tackle the complex issues of land encroachment, overlapping claims, and environmental degradation, all of which threaten the island’s sustainability. The meeting was attended by heavyweights in the…
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Washed up: Garbage crisis floods Phuket’s Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park on Phuket’s northeast coast is drowning in garbage, sparking serious concerns among officials and locals. The mounting waste problem has reached alarming levels, with 200 to 300 kilogrammes of trash generated daily but left uncollected due to limited resources, according to Park Chief Siriwat Suebsai. The shocking revelation emerged during a visit by the House of Representatives…
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Pattaya plans low-carbon future with solar power and clean energy
Pattaya City is on a mission to transform itself into a low-carbon tourism destination, with ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy. In the second meeting of the Public Image Committee, Poramet Ngampichet, Mayor of Pattaya City, outlined a bold vision for a greener, cleaner future, leveraging solar power and clean energy solutions. Held at Meeting…
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Thailand tightens exhaust checks to combat PM2.5 pollution
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has intensified its efforts to inspect exhaust emissions from trucks and buses across Thailand to tackle the PM2.5 air pollution issue. Nearly 1,000 vehicles were banned yesterday, February 24. Jirut Wisalchit, DLT Director General, reported on the progress of the vehicle inspections, which align with the Ministry of Transport’s policy to address and prevent…
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Pattaya fights a shore thing: War declared on stinky seaweed
In a bid to rescue their once-pristine shorelines, Pattaya City officials have declared war on the stinking seaweed invasion that’s left Krating Rai Beach in turmoil. Under Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, a massive clean-up operation was launched yesterday, February 19, as officers from the Cleaning Control Division, Pollution Control Division, and Natural Resources and Environment Department rolled up their sleeves…
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Bangkok to adopt Beijing’s air pollution solutions in landmark deal
Bangkok is set to benefit from Beijing’s expertise in tackling air pollution, as the two capitals signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Air Quality Monitoring and Management Cooperation. The agreement, signed via video between the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Environment Department, marks a major step in the fight against toxic smog.…
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