Environment and natural resources
Chinese dams under U.S. scrutiny in Mekong rivalry
A U.S.-funded project using satellites to track and publish water levels at Chinese dams on the Mekong river was announced on Monday, adding to the superpowers’ rivalry in Southeast Asia.The 4,350-kilometer waterway — known as the Lancang in China and flowing south through Myanmar, Laos, ...
Bangkok air quality takes a turn for the worse
Thailand’s capital has been engulfed by a hazardous haze since Monday morning, which can affect the health of residents in 58 districts.Air Quality and Noise Management Division reported that records of the average PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) dust particle level within ...
The Nation Reporter
Five brands responsible for most of Thailand’s plastic pollution: Greenpeace
Greenpeace Thailand also revealed the results of its 2020 plastic waste audit on Thursday.It showed the brands that produce the most plastic waste are Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), Dutch Mill, Osotspa Group, TCP, and Lactasoy Group. The audit was based on samples collected in Chiang ...
The Nation Reporter
PM tells agencies to be ready to tackle drought next year
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered all related state agencies to prepare measures to mitigate the drought next year, government deputy spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said.The Office of the National Water Resources has reported that it has developed 526 key water projects this year.Keep reading ...
The Nation Reporter
Fight for the Mekong gathers pace
More than 20 years ago, when two Chiang Rai-based environmentalists, Niwat Roikaew and Somkiat Kuenwongsa, learned that the Chinese government were blasting rapids in the upper Mekong River from Yunnan to Myanmar and Laos to clear the way for large commercial vessels, they started worrying.Back ...
Thailand Puts NASA Air Quality Data to Use
Thai government agencies announced at Nov. 23, 2020 media event in Bangkok they are now harnessing the power of NASA air quality data and expertise through a unique partnership with SERVIR.A joint initiative between the Capacity Building program area and the United States Agency for ...
High time to tackle haze
At a glance, the opening of the Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM), which is tasked with reducing levels of the toxic PM2.5 fine dust, seemed like a promising sign.The centre is to serve as a focal point for getting ministries and agencies on the ...
Landless Thais get homes in mangrove forest in conservation push
Thai authorities have reached an agreement with a landless community that will allow villagers to live in a mangrove forest if they help protect the area, a unique collaboration that could work across the country, land rights groups said.Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between ...
Bangkok air quality slips as temperature drops
Bangkok’s air quality is seeing deterioration with the arrival of winter, making the health of sensitive groups vulnerable, the latest readings show.The Air Visual application reported on Sunday that Bangkok’s air pollution level, according to the US Air Quality Index (AQI) standard, stood at 111, ...
The Nation Reporter
'Pattaya Model' boosting marine safety
The Pattaya Marine Office is laying chains of buoys in Pattaya Bay to clearly differentiate areas for water traffic and other activities, to improve marine safety and build tourist confidence.The plan has been dubbed the Pattaya Model for safety at sea. Work began in 2015 ...
Chaiyot Pupattanapong