Earth Day 2024
Earth Day is today. But what does the day even mean? Here’s what you need to know about the annual commemoration and how to celebrate our planet while fighting climate change.
“For me, every day is Earth Day,” Leila Yassine, Rainforest Alliance’s global advocacy engagement manager, told USA TODAY. “But I think it’s really important to have this Earth Day as a yearly wake-up call for everyone.” Continued …
Survey shows 72.6% of Thai people worry about hot weather
Thailand is currently in the midst of a heatwave. Not surprising, given it is traditionally the hottest time of year in the kingdom. On Thursday, a Swiss tourist passed out and had to be revived by police near the Grand Palace in the capital. The scene comes with Thai meteorologists and academics warning that the country is facing a future of higher temperatures.
An official survey published over the weekend shows that 72.6% of the Thai public are now either moderately or severely concerned about the trend. Continued …
Pattaya’s post-Songkran clean-up disposes 20 tons of trash
The meat of the matter
Plant-based meat manufacturing is catching the interest of many companies eager to develop a new source of revenue. Products in this segment have the potential to become “future food” and could be an attractive choice for health-conscious consumers, according to investors.
Local entrepreneurs are partnering with scientists and foreign firms to jointly seek new business opportunities. One partnership was forged between Thai and British companies to build a new plant-based food production facility in Thailand, which is rich in raw materials. Continued …
Mekong River facing dam construction crisis
The Mekong River is facing a crisis and is gradually deteriorating due to the impacts of climate change and the construction of dams, which severely affect the river’s ecosystem.
Brian Eyler, an expert on transboundary issues in the Mekong region who specializes in China’s economic cooperation with Southeast Asia, discussed the effects of dams on the Mekong River’s flow and suggest potential solutions to save this mighty river. Video …
Buddhist monastery in Sri Racha desperately appeals for water
As scorching temperatures and persistent dry weather continue to plague Chonburi Province, Buddhist monasteries are facing a critical water shortage. Among them, the Buddha Nimit Buddhist Monastery in Sriracha district, has raised concerns about its ability to meet essential water needs.
Abbot Phra Khru Plad Rangsan Attasaro revealed the monastery’s struggles, emphasizing that the ongoing drought has severely disrupted their access to sufficient water. The situation affects various activities, including caring for 12 resident monks and animals such as dogs, cats, and chickens. Continued …
Divers take on ‘ghost gear’ threatening marine life
Beneath the surface of the turquoise waters off a beach on the southern resort island of Phuket, divers laboriously collect abandoned fishing gear, much of it made from plastic, that is tangled on coral and trapping sea life.
This discarded or lost fishing equipment is known locally as “ghost gear” and is a growing problem in waters off Thailand and beyond, ensnaring marine life and adding to microplastics pollution as nets and ropes break down over time. Continued …
Call to hike renewable proportion
The government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP), which is scheduled to be finalized in the second quarter of this year.
The increase, up from 10%-12% of total power supply at present, is needed because Thailand is committed to achieving carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption, by 2050, said Tanachai Bunditvorapoom, chief executive of Absolute Clean Energy. Continued …
South East Asia is falling short on green investments
The recent report from global consultancy Bain & Co. emphasizes the inadequate green investments in Southeast Asia, which are necessary to reduce emissions. The report also points out the region’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels and the slow progress of clean energy development.
The report identifies challenges such as high capital costs, fossil fuel subsidies, and the prevalence of young coal-fired power plants with long-term commitments. The report calls for new policies, financial mechanisms, and greater regional cooperation to accelerate decarbonization efforts. Continued …
Chinese Battery Makers Invest Over 30 Billion Baht in Thailand
The Thai government is boosting its battery manufacturing industry following the launch of an electric vehicle incentive program as part of a plan to make Thailand the Southeast Asian regional hub for electric vehicles.
In an announcement by the Thailand Board of Investment, Secretary-general Narit Theodsatheerasak described how seven Chinese companies, including Ningde Times, China Innovation Aviation, Impulse Battery, YWL, Guoxuan Gaoke, Xinwanda, and Beehive Seven Chinese companies, including Ningde Times, Yinpai Battery, Guoxuan Gaoke, Xinwanda and Beehive Energy, are “very interested” in investing in Thailand. Continued …
China’s Chery Automobile to set up Thai assembly plant
China’s Chery Automobile will set up a plant in Thailand that will make vehicles for both the domestic and export markets, with production slated to begin in 2025, the Board of Investment (BoI) said today.
The facility is forecast to produce 50,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in the first phase within 2025, and increase production to 80,000 vehicles by 2028, BoI Secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi said. Continued …
New tiger discovered at Kaeng Krachan National Park near Hua Hin
Kaeng Krachan National Park has reported the discovery of a new Indochinese tiger, indicating a hopeful increase in the population due to successful conservation efforts. The tiger, identified as “KKT-006M,” was first recorded in the upstream area of the Phetchaburi River.
The find was part of a larger wildlife monitoring operation conducted from April 4-7. This operation, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Thailand, involved setting up camera traps and tracking wildlife movements in the region. During this period, the cameras captured images and videos of two previously known Indochinese tigers, “KKT-002M” and “KKT-004.” Continued …
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