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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Long-lost ‘Forest sea star’ plant stuns scientists in Thailand
A rare plant thought to have vanished from the face of the Earth has emerged like a botanical ghost, shocking scientists with its return after more than a century in hiding deep within Thailand’s rainforests. Botanists worldwide are celebrating the extraordinary rediscovery of Heterostemma brownii Hayata, also known as the Forest Sea Star. Part of the milkweed family (Apocynaceae), this…
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Mud, sweat, fears: Thailand landslide warning after monsoon soak
Villagers in northern and eastern Thailand have been told to brace for landslides and flash floods after days of relentless rain left hillsides sodden and unstable. The Department of Mineral Resources sounded the alarm today, July 11, warning that 11 provinces are now at severe risk of geological disasters over the next 48 to 72 hours. The Geological Disaster Operation…
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Wild elephants forage for food, wreak havoc in Prachin Buri
A group of five wild elephants, including a mother and calf, from Thap Lan National Park, invaded a worker’s home late at night, causing significant damage as they searched for food. The incident, which marks the sixth consecutive day the elephants have roamed outside the park, occurred yesterday, July 10, in Prachin Buri province. The elephants, part of a herd…
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Shark ‘n’ awe as blacktip reef sharks swarm Maya Bay in Krabi (video)
Tourists got more than just postcard views in Thailand’s paradise bay this month, as researchers spotted a jaw-dropping 158 blacktip reef sharks cruising the shallows in one fin-tastic return to form. Maya Bay, the once-trampled beauty spot made famous by The Beach, is making waves again, this time for all the right reasons. Thai marine boffins say they’ve recorded the…
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Disaster at sea: RTN drills for shipwreck chaos off Phuket
Phuket is gearing up to tackle maritime catastrophes head-on, staging an elaborate simulation of a passenger ship disaster that could save lives when real tragedy strikes. The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 (Thai-MECC 3), based at the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s Third Naval Area Command at Cape Panwa, spearheaded the operation yesterday, July 8, in Phuket Town as…
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Rare Asiatic golden cat filmed in South Thailand national park (video)
A camera trap hidden deep in Khao Luang National Park in Nakhon Si Thammarat captured rare footage of the endangered Asiatic golden cat striding through its natural habitat. Park Chief Haritchai Ritchooay revealed yesterday, July 8, that the scientific team and Patrol Unit 2 were behind the remarkable discovery. The image offers a glimpse into the rich biodiversity thriving in…
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Thailand’s blind elephant becomes loving sanctuary grandma (video)
A once-reclusive elephant who spent years shunning contact has undergone a heart-melting transformation, capturing hearts around the world. Jokia, a blind elephant who survived Thailand’s brutal logging trade, had long preferred her own company, traumatised by a past she couldn’t forget. Rescued by the Save Elephant Foundation, she spent years wandering alone, too wary to bond with her kind. “She…
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Nature’s surprise: Rare panda crab spotted in Thai national park
A rare panda crab, known locally as the Sirindhorn Crab, has been spotted crawling across a remote waterfall in the Panoen Thung area at Kaeng Krachan National Park, showcasing the extraordinary biodiversity thriving in Thailand’s western forests. The discovery, shared on the park’s Facebook page on Sunday, July 6, delighted conservationists and nature lovers. The park’s post featured stunning photos…
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New marine protection zones established around Koh Phayam
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has introduced new marine and coastal protection zones around Koh Phayam in Ranong. The initiative aims to safeguard the area’s rich biodiversity from the growing environmental challenges posed by tourism, fishing, and coastal development. Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on declared the implementation of a fresh ministerial regulation for the region. Published in the Royal…
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Splash ‘n’ grab: Floods wreak havoc as Pattaya bikes washed away
Tourists and locals in Pattaya were left soaked and stranded yesterday as a torrential downpour turned Thailand’s Sin City into a sodden swamp, with over 20 bikes washed away in raging floodwaters. The heavens opened for more than two hours last night, July 1, swamping Bang Lamung district and bringing traffic to a watery standstill. Water levels surged to between…
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Bangkok Airways takes off with green fuel to slash carbon emissions
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited is propelling its Low Carbon Skies by Bangkok Airways initiative with a major commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Starting today, July 1, the airline will officially introduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on its commercial flights, marking a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly future for aviation in Thailand. Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok…
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Wild tiger spotted observing researchers in Thai wildlife sanctuary (video)
In the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, a team of researchers from the Department of National Parks had an unusual encounter with a wild tiger that observed them quietly during their field mission. The sanctuary spans across Uthai Thani and Tak provinces. On June 28, the researchers were engaged in a tiger tracking and data collection mission when a tiger…
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Phuket’s tsunami drill to test readiness with 1,000 participants
In a massive push to strengthen Thailand’s disaster response, more than 1,000 people will take part in a major tsunami drill in Kamala tomorrow as part of the national disaster response exercise, C-MEX 25. The drill, aimed at enhancing readiness and coordination across six Andaman coastal provinces, is set to be the largest exercise of its kind in recent years. The…
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Phuket’s luxury real estate boom raises green space concerns
Phuket’s latest luxury real estate development, Utopia Urban Glam, has made waves as it positions itself as a key driver of the island’s economic growth. The seven-storey building, currently under construction in Rawai’s Saiyuan area, boasts 110 residential units and a range of high-end amenities, including seven swimming pools, a private cinema, a fitness centre, and a rooftop Sky Lounge. The…
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Pattaya deputy mayor leads cleanup of sunken docking buoys
In a move aimed at restoring order to Pattaya’s troubled boating sector, the deputy mayor has led a team to collect sunken buoys from a failed docking project, a cleanup effort long overdue since tropical storm Vamco wreaked havoc on the area 10 years ago. Yesterday, June 25, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City Manoch Nongyai and officials from the Pattaya…
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Pattaya releases 100,000 shrimp and sea snails to boost marine life
Pattaya is taking significant steps to protect its coastal ecosystem with a major marine animal release event. Deputy Mayor Krissana Boonsawat led the initiative, which saw the release of 100,000 juvenile whiteleg shrimp and 1,000 spotted Babylon sea snails into the sea off Jomtien Beach. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, the Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Centre…
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Pattaya beach turns green: Plankton bloom causes panic
Pattaya’s popular Wong Amat Beach recently became the centre of environmental concerns as a sudden plankton bloom turned the waters a disturbing dark green and filled the air with a sulfur-like stench. The phenomenon, which began a few days ago, not only altered the sea’s appearance but also raised serious worries among locals and tourists about its potential impact on…
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Tiger comeback: Prey release sparks hope in Thai jungle
In Thailand’s dense, steaming western forests, 20 sambar deer leap into freedom — and straight into the domain of one of Asia’s most elusive predators: the Indochinese tiger. This dramatic release in Khlong Lan National Park, Kamphaeng Phet, Central Thailand, is part of an ambitious government and WWF-backed effort to revive Thailand’s wild tiger population by restoring their natural prey…
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Thailand drought relief cash halted amid graft claims
A massive 51 billion baht drought relief fund has been frozen amid explosive claims of political meddling and potential budget abuse, sparking fears over delayed aid for struggling communities. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong confirmed this week that the Budget Bureau has issued a formal notice halting the disbursement of funds earmarked under the 2025 fiscal mid-year budget for water…
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Chinese grey businesses under fire in Thailand over steel scam
A wave of shady Chinese-owned factories is wreaking havoc on Thailand’s economy — and the environment — as the government launches a crackdown on so-called “grey businesses” operating illegally under the radar for years. Industry Minister Akanat Promphan declared war on unlawful foreign-owned industrial operations, particularly in the steel and recycling sectors. Under his “Sud Soi” campaign — meaning “all…
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Cargo ship grounding in Mu Koh Surin causes coral reef damage
Efforts are underway to refloat a Myanmar-flagged cargo ship that ran aground on a coral reef in Mu Koh Surin National Park, Phang Nga earlier this month, resulting in notable ecological harm. Kriangkrai Pohcharoen, the national park’s head, reported yesterday, June 17, that teams have been actively working since June 1, when the MV Ayar Linn became stranded on the…
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New compensation policy for wild elephant attacks in Thailand
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has updated its financial assistance policy for those affected by wild elephant attacks, with a maximum payout of 500,000 baht. This new guideline, effective immediately, is designed to ensure timely and transparent compensation, with approved funds transferred within five working days. Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa announced yesterday, June 12, that the…
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Phuket’s stink crisis: Landfill odours worsen amid rainy season
Phuket’s bustling streets are getting a whiff of something far less pleasant as the city grapples with an intensifying odour crisis. The stink emanating from the Phuket Waste Disposal Centre at Saphan Hin has reached unbearable levels, especially as the rainy season worsens conditions at the already overcrowded landfill. With more than 1,200 tonnes of rubbish arriving at the site…
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Monkey sterilisation drive ramps up in Lopburi crackdown
Efforts to control the monkey population in Lopburi city centre are ongoing, with macaques being trapped, sterilised, and relocated to shelters. A new facility is being built to accommodate more of these monkeys, which have been causing disruptions in the area. The operation is managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant…
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Paetongtarn backs clean groundwater in drought-hit Kanchanaburi
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra got her hands dirty, and her lips wet, in Kanchanaburi this week as she toured rural groundwater development projects aimed at solving Thailand’s ongoing water crisis. Yesterday, June 9, the Thai premier made her first stop at the Royal Initiative Project on Groundwater Supply in Ban Pak Chat Nong Bua, located in the Nong Fai subdistrict…
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Chon Buri oil spill sparks swift cleanup effort
An oil spill off Chon Buri’s coast triggered an urgent response, but officials say there’s no danger to Pattaya or Bang Saen. Thai authorities have sprung into action following a minor oil spill involving approximately 8,000 litres of Murban crude oil from the MT Phoenix Jamnagar, a massive 160,000-tonne VLCC tanker. The leak occurred around 1am yesterday, June 6, at…
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Phuket marine life in crisis as biologists save species
Marine biologists in Phuket are working tirelessly to protect the island’s marine life, with two sea turtle rescues and an investigation into the mysterious death of a dolphin. Yesterday, June 5, the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) and the Rare Marine Animal Rescue Network sprang into action after receiving reports of two critically endangered species in distress. The first rescue…
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Phuket tackles plastic pollution for World Environment Day
Over 350 participants gathered at Dragon Square in Phuket Town yesterday as the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) launched its World Environment Day campaign. The event, held at Queen Sirikit Park, focused on the urgent need to eliminate single-use plastics, aligning with the United Nations’ 2025 global theme, Beat Plastic Pollution. The event, presided over by PPAO President Rewat Areerob,…
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Dugong baby boom? Rare sea creatures spotted off Krabi coast
Krabi’s crystal waters have just delivered a marine miracle—two rare dugongs and a gang of green turtles have been spotted gliding through the waves, sparking hopes of a biodiversity comeback in the Andaman Sea. Park officials in Krabi are celebrating a major boost in marine biodiversity after spotting two new dugongs and a group of green turtles near Ao Nammao…
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Power to the people: Thailand plots solar rooftop shake-up
Going green could soon get a whole lot easier — and cheaper — for Thai homeowners as the government gears up to dismantle red tape blocking access to solar energy. The Energy Ministry is drafting a groundbreaking new law to supercharge the adoption of solar rooftop systems, aiming to cut through the bureaucracy that has long stifled household clean energy…
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