Environment and natural resources
New panel set up to tackle waste disposal
A new subcommittee on plastic and electronic waste will intensify garbage disposal measures by reviewing the existing quota on waste imports.The panel will work under the National Environment Board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, which on Thursday resolved to endorse its establishment. The ...
Apinya Wipatayotin & Phusadee Arunmas
Seeds of hope
Here is a familiar scenario: A child is admonished by a parent for not finishing a meal and reminded of the millions of people around the world who are starving. Maybe you have been that parent — or were once that child.For the record, the ...
Sunny Verghese
Falling Mekong water levels increase farming cost in Nong Khai
The Mekong River’s level in Nong Khai province of Thailand dropped to 1.83 metres on Thursday (January 9), much lower than the bank’s 10.37 metres.Compared to the same period in 2019, the current water level was lower by over 2 metres, causing sandy areas to ...
The Nation Reporter
Bangkok on high alert as PM2.5 levels forecast to rise
Bangkok on Wednesday recorded the world’s third worst air quality on Air Visual, a popular app monitoring pollution, while City Hall is on high alert for a predicted rise in PM2.5 levels until the end of this week.The level of PM2.5 at 9.30am on Wednesday ...
Supoj Wancharoen
Dams lead to extinction
Before being officially declared extinct by scientists late last month, the Chinese paddlefish, a native to the Yangtze River system, had been listed along with the Mekong giant catfish as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.The extinction of the paddlefish, one ...
Editorial
Mekong sandbanks obstruct cross-border boat services
The lowest level of water in the Mekong river in several decades has caused sandbanks to emerge, obstructing boat services across the border between Thailand and Laos, according to a local report.The low level of water has been caused by many factors including drought and ...
Pattanapong Sripiachai
Anti-plastic campaign starts to hit home
Among Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa’s top priorities is reducing the amount of single-use plastic bags. To help him, 75 department stores, convenience stores and other shops with more than 24,500 branches nationwide have agreed to do so and from Wednesday they will ...
Apinya Wipatayotin
Dam testing in China to affect eight Mekong River provinces
Eight provinces along the Mekong River have been told to brace themselves for a dip in water levels between Jan 1-4 as tests at Jinghong hydroelectric power station in China’s Yunnan province are expected decrease of water outflows.According to the Office of National Water Resources ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Asian Governments Banking On Social Forestry To Sustain Reforestation Efforts
A village group in Indonensia’s Kalimantan Island plants a small community fuelwood plantation. A Vietnamese landowner plants trees along her field as a living fence and as source of fuelwood. Filipino farmers plant trees that they will sell later to a local paer mill, for ...
Dr. Michael A. Bengwayan
Thailand set to intensify ban on e-waste imports
Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa on Wednesday told the media that the country would intensify the ban on e-waste and plastic garbage smuggled from abroad.“The ministry is serious in countering the imports of smuggled e-waste into Thailand,” said Varawut. “This is for ...