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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Phuket braces for floods as emergency pumps deployed
Phuket is battening down the hatches as officials race to prevent flash floods and landslides, with a massive emergency response underway across the island. With heavy rainfall already soaking parts of the province, the Phuket governor has issued an urgent directive to all district chiefs, local government leaders, and heads of government agencies to launch immediate preventative action. The warning…
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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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Soaked: Flash floods fury leaves Phuket in deep water
Phuket woke up underwater yesterday as torrential overnight downpours triggered flash floods, swamped roads and sparked fresh fears of landslides, turning paradise into panic. Parts of of the popular holiday resort resembled rivers rather than roads yesterday morning, April 15, after relentless rain pummelled the island overnight, flooding key areas and prompting landslide warnings across southern Thailand. Among the hardest-hit…
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Phuket faces water crisis as reservoirs run dry
Warning bells are ringing in Phuket as reservoir levels plunge and fears of severe drought grip the island. Officials scramble to prevent a looming water crisis before the taps run dry. Phuket chief Sophon Suwannarat and top provincial officials joined a high-level video conference on April 8 to strategise urgent drought mitigation measures. The session, chaired by Minister of Interior…
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Decomposed dugong found in Phuket likely died of natural causes
Marine officials reported that a dugong found ashore at Ban Ko En in Mai Khao, Phuket likely succumbed to natural causes linked to a chronic illness. The exact cause remains uncertain due to the advanced decomposition of the carcass. The female dugong, measuring 251 centimetres and weighing around 130 kilogrammes, was discovered on April 8, as confirmed by the Andaman…
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Phuket launches gateway project to boost tourism and conservation
Phuket unveiled a new initiative designed to boost local tourism, support community businesses, and protect the island’s environment. The Phuket Gateway project, launched by the Governor of Phuket, aims to connect tourists with authentic local experiences while focusing on ecological sustainability. Naraphat Plodthong, the Governor of Phuket, presided over the official launch of the Phuket Gateway ceremony, marking the beginning…
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Pattaya mayor tackles water shortages with major projects
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet is taking bold steps to tackle the city’s water supply issues. With 12 major projects underway, residents can expect improved water distribution and transparency in the coming months. Mayor Poramet has ordered relevant agencies to gather detailed information on 12 ongoing water supply extension projects within Pattaya. The goal is to submit the information to the…
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Warning: Sinkholes emerge in Mae Hong Son after earthquake
In a startling post-earthquake discovery, six sinkholes have appeared in Mae Hong Son’s Khun Yuam district, leaving locals on edge. The sudden appearance of these giant holes has prompted a warning from the Mineral Resources Regional Office 1, advising residents to exercise extreme caution. The sinkholes, which range in size from 2 to 30 metres in diameter, were first discovered…
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Sea tragedy: Dead dolphin found near Phuket sparks investigation
Locals were left shocked after a dead dolphin was discovered floating just off Koh Sirey, east of Phuket Town, late last night prompting marine biologists to launch an urgent investigation into the cause of death. At around 11pm, yesterday, April 2, rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation were alerted to the scene near Haad Silaphan by residents who spotted…
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Eco-friendly boost: Koh Larn waste incinerator 80% complete
Koh Larn’s future as an eco-friendly tourism hotspot looks brighter than ever as Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, accompanied by Pattaya’s Chief Strategic Advisor Sontaya Kunplome, visited the island on April 1 to inspect the progress of the much-anticipated waste incineration project. The inspection focused on the construction of the waste-to-energy incinerator, which is now nearing 80% completion. Officials are confident the…
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Shaky ground: Thailand in world’s top 60 earthquake-hit countries
Thailand ranks 59th among the top 100 countries with the most earthquakes, recording 59 quakes so far this year, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 4.9. While the country may not be in the top 10, it still experiences a noticeable number of seismic events. According to earthquakelist.org, which uses data from the US Geological Survey and the European-Mediterranean…
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Thailand book fairs return after Myanmar earthquake disruption
The Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) announced that the 53rd National Book Week and the 23rd International Book Week will resume as normal today, March 29, following a temporary closure due to an earthquake. The statement confirmed the reopening times from 10am to 9pm at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The earthquake, measuring 8.2 on the Richter…
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Earthquake panic: Over 100 evacuated from Pathum Thani hospital
An earthquake in Pathum Thani province caused noticeable tremors, particularly affecting high-rise buildings, including an 18-storey medical centre at Pathum Thani Hospital. The management and medical teams, along with rescue volunteers from Ruamkatanyu Foundation and Poh Teck Tung Foundation, swiftly evacuated over 100 people, including ICU patients and staff. Doctor Ninnat Mookdee, director of Pathum Thani Hospital, stated that while…
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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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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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Air quality worsens, affecting 56 Thai provinces with high PM2.5
Air quality in the Kingdom of Thailand has deteriorated over the past week, impacting 56 provinces with elevated PM2.5 levels, notably affecting the north and northeast. Projections for the week indicate worsening conditions. As of March 27, the Air Pollution Solution Communication Centre released its air quality report. The report highlights that the PM2.5 levels exceed national standards across several…
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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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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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Chiang Mai declared disaster zone due to ongoing wildfires
Wildfires in Chiang Dao and Omkoi districts of Chiang Mai have been raging for two weeks, prompting the declaration of disaster zones as local efforts intensify to manage the situation. Chiang Mai governor Nirat Phongsittithaworn yesterday, March 24, announced that five subdistricts within these districts are now designated as disaster areas. This decision enables the implementation of emergency relief and…
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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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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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Toxic haze: Chiang Mai at No. 5 globally for poor air quality
Chiang Mai has been ranked as the world’s fifth-worst city for air quality, with PM2.5 levels exceeding safe limits across the province. Hod district experienced the highest levels, with PM2.5 reaching 144 microgrammes per cubic metre today, March 22. The weakening of a cold air mass has caused reduced air ventilation, contributing to the accumulation of dust particles. At 9am,…
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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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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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Thailand’s Lawa Yai island wins top beach award
Lawa Yai, an unspoiled tropical retreat in Ao Phang Nga National Park, has just landed a major international honour, securing ISO 13009:2015 certification for top-tier beach management and sustainable tourism. This recognition puts the island on the map as a world-class destination that blends environmental preservation with visitor-friendly services. Phob Toonsang, chief of the national park’s first conservation unit, hailed…
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