Environment and natural resources
China drops plan to blast Mekong islets
China has agreed to drop a plan to clear rocky outcrops and islets in the upper reaches of the Mekong River in the face of deep concern expressed by downstream countries, according to Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.Keep reading ...
Forest and wildlife bills passed despite protests
The National Legislative Assembly yesterday passed two amendments to the forestry and wildlife bills, which for the first time will allow forest dwellers and communities with overlapping claims to continue living “lawfully” in the forest – under some conditions.The National Parks Act and the Wildlife ...
The Nation Reporter
Thailand ranks world’s 23rd most polluted country
Thailand has been ranked the world’s 23rd most polluted country and Bangkok ranks 24th in the list of cities with critical air quality globally, according to the 2018 World Air Quality Report. The report shows that PM2.5 dust particles for the whole year in Thailand ...
Thailand to ban import of plastic waste next year
Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will propose to the cabinet a total ban on the import of plastic waste into Thailand beginning next year.Natural Resources and Environment Minister Gen Surasak Karnjanarat said today that, as imports of plastic waste are to end next ...
Thailand targets significant reduction of plastics consumption by 2022
Thailand has set a target of eliminating plastic waste imports into the country by the year 2022, as well as to reduce the consumption of plastic products and packaging.Keep watching ...
Asean battles marine debris
Bangkok declaration by ministers today to focus on cooperative efforts and measures in the region to tackle this serious environmental threat.ASEAN member countries will sign the Bangkok Declaration to jointly combat the pervasive marine plastic debris problem in the region.Keep reading ...
Pratch Rujivanarom
Smog in North takes big toll on public health
Nearly a quarter of a million people in the North sought medical treatment for four different kinds of ailments that flared up amid the intense air pollution between February 17 and 23.Locals in Chiang Mai lament that their hometown has again been besieged by smog ...
The Nation Reporter
Waste-to-energy plants 'an environmental hazard’
Academics have urged the authorities to slow down their large-scale waste-to-energy development policy, as it could severely harm the country’s environment and people’s health.The Interior and Energy ministries disclosed that the government is offering more subsidies to further boost investments in waste-to-energy power plants at ...
Pratch Rujivanarom
Bangkok to host marine meetings
New political commitments to protect marine resources are expected to be announced in two key international marine meetings to be held in Bangkok next week, officials said Thursday. The first meeting will be the Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris on March 5 where ...
Apinya Wipatayotin
SPECIAL REPORT: EU-driven timber certification raises hopes for sustain forest management and forest dwellers' benefits.
With Potentially high benefits at stake, Thailand is moving toward allowing the harvesting of some tree species, which is currently banned unless special permission is obtained.Supporters say a legal amendment could help raise incomes and lead to sustainable livelihoods for forest dwellers, while also stimulating ...
Piyaporn Wongruang