Environment and natural resources

More water discharged from Chinese dams to the lower Mekong River in the dry season and less water in the rainy season. That means a reduction of drought and flooding in the lower Mekong countries. That was the ideal “cooperation” Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam ...

Groups working to protect the Mekong River have called for greater transparency and cooperation from China after a report that Chinese dams held back water during a damaging drought in downstream countries last year.China has disputed the findings of the US government-funded study and said ...

The Office of the National Water Resources says up to 6,255 villages in 24 provinces have already been declared as drought-affected areas, while national dams and reservoirs are only at an average of 49% capacity (only 26% of that water is usable.) It has been ...

China’s Mekong River dams held back large amounts of water during a damaging drought in downstream countries last year despite China having higher-than-average water levels upstream, a US research company said in a study.China’s government disputed the findings, saying there was low rainfall during last ...

Single-use plastic bags are making a comeback as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak.After their use was restricted at the start of the year, plastic bags can once again be seen littering the streets of greater Bangkok as people begin to rely on take-outs ...

More casualties were on Friday reported during operations to put out wildfires in the North. A villager lost her life battling a blaze on Doi Khun Pae mountain in Chiang Mai’s Chom Thong district.A resident who did not wish to be named said the dead ...

Thailand will seek talks with Myanmar and Laos to lend strength to the fight against haze and smog pollution, according to Jatuporn Buruspat, the natural resources and environment permanent secretary.The government will seek cooperation from Myanmar and Laos authorities to jointly deal with the seasonal ...

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 ...