Environment and natural resources

Air pollution across the upper North remains at critical levels with authorities monitoring almost 400 active hotspots in Chiang Mai alone on Sunday. The air quality did not improve on Monday morning, with IQAir recording “very unhealthy” air quality and hazardous, ultra-fine PM2.5 dust levels ...

The bushfires that have been raging near the tourist city of Chiang Mai over the past few days are heightening concerns for both residents and the authorities with the risk they pose of extreme air pollution, coming on top of worries about the coronavirus.Keep reading ...

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon is calling for international efforts to monitor the controversial Luang Prabang dam project in Laos and the impact it will have on the Mekong River, where water levels have been unusually low.The issue was raised yesterday at a meeting chaired ...

Severe smog was recorded at air quality monitoring stations in five upper northern provinces on Tuesday, the Department of Pollution Control (DPC) reported.The department reported that severe PM2.5 pollution was detected by eight air quality monitoring stations in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Mae Hong ...

Shortages of water are a huge problem for Thailand. The government’s attempts to promote industrial investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) — Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao — has caused water demand in the region to rise drastically. This has diverted water away from ...

7 swimmers, including actor and singer Phakhin Khamwilaisak, also know as “Tono”, have begun an 82 kilometre ocean swim for over 18 days to increase public awareness of the environment and the need to reserve Thailand’s marine ecosystem. They are also raising money to buy ...

The Department of Health has warned residents in Chiang Rai province that particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) in the air remains at hazardous levels.Department director-general Dr Panpimol Wipulakorn suggested that children, pregnant women, elderly and people with health conditions stay indoors ...

When landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom and her landscape design studio, Landprocess, created a park in central Bangkok in 2017, it was no ordinary park.It was a green basin to help the city soak up excess water — up to 4.5 million litres — by funnelling ...

Forest fires have stretched the government’s manpower and resources, prompting authorities to rethink their approach and work on keeping forest floors moist to contain the spread of fires.With trees shedding their leaves early this year, Thailand has experienced at least three major wildfires, including one ...

Rising sea levels, unchecked development, groundwater extraction, and rapid urban population growth has left millions vulnerable to natural disasters — scientists warn the city itself may not survive the century.New analysis by the Nestpick 2050 Climate Change City Index says the Thai capital could be ...