Friday’s news-April 26

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  • UN Report Warns Of Asia’s Increasing Climate Crisis
  • Businesses must cooperate with govt to achieve net zero emissions goal
  • How sustainable agriculture can help Thailand cope with climate change
  • Toxic Smoke Engulfs Bangkok’s Rama 2 Area Due to Chemical Leak
  • Smoldering ruins of Rayong factory said emitting cancer-causing compounds
  • Study exposes widespread microplastics in food
  • Bentley Motors Joins With Everwave To Combat Plastic Pollution In Thailand
  • Power plan set to be ready by Q3
  • Toyota pilots EV songtaews in Pattaya
  • The future of ethical elephant tourism in Thailand

UN Report Warns Of Asia’s Increasing Climate Crisis

A recent report from the United Nations reveals that Asia, identified as the world’s disaster center, is significantly affected by climate-related disruptions like floods, storms, extreme temperatures, and melting glaciers.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) concludes that Asia, warming at an alarming rate, is the most affected region in the unfolding climate crisis, with forecasts predicting an increase in catastrophic events. Continued … 

Businesses must cooperate with govt to achieve net zero emissions goal

The Board of Investment (BOI) said that Thailand was fully invested on the idea of going green. The BOI emphasized that going green was not the responsibility of the government alone, and entrepreneurs in all sectors must work together to support Thailand in achieving its net zero goal.

Narit Theodsatheerasak, secretary-general of the BOI, was speaking at a seminar on “Go Green 2024: The Ambition of Thailand – Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Thailand”, organized by “Krungthep Turakij”. Continued … 

How sustainable agriculture can help Thailand cope with climate change

Thailand faces the grim prospects of a drought in the first half of the year and floods in the second half, inflicting losses of around 56 billion baht on the economy, according to Kasikorn Research.

The weather factors would inflict damage on the economy in terms of productivity and quality, resulting in negative sentiment on people’s quality of life and economic growth, the research said.which throws the spotlight on sustainable agricultural practices. Continued … 

Toxic Smoke Engulfs Bangkok’s Rama 2 Area Due to Chemical Leak

The early hours of yesterday saw clouds of toxic smoke emanating from a chemical leak at a factory in Bangkok’s Rama 2 area. The local disaster prevention and mitigation department, along with firefighters, rushed to halt the leakage that began around 2:10 am.

White smoke was seen pouring from the chemical warehouse of the factory. The response team promptly evacuated 12 smoke-releasing tanks and hosed them down with water. The tanks were found to contain Thiourea or Thiocarbamate, chemicals commonly used to boost seed germination and promote flowering in agriculture. Continued … 

Smoldering ruins of Rayong factory said emitting cancer-causing compounds

People living near the burned-down chemical waste recycling factory in Rayong are being advised to stay away, as the air within a 3-kilometer radius is extremely dangerous to health.

This advisory issued by Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH) is in sharp contradiction to the announcement of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) issued on Thursday. Continued … 

Study exposes widespread microplastics in food

Recent research has revealed a silent hazard in our diets: microplastic contamination in various foods, some of which are consumed frequently.

A study published in February found that 90% of plant and animal protein samples contained microplastics, substances linked to serious health issues, including breast and prostate cancer, as well as genetic abnormalities in cells. Continued … 

Bentley Motors Joins With Everwave To Combat Plastic Pollution In Thailand

Bentley Motors is taking strides toward sustainability with its recent announcement of support for a major initiative in Thailand. Teaming up with everwave, a foundation partner of the newly established Bentley Environmental Foundation, Bentley is joining forces to tackle plastic pollution in the region’s waterways.

The collaborative effort aims to clean up a significant river in Thailand and establish a robust waste-processing infrastructure. Leveraging innovative technology, including AI-equipped refuse-collecting boats and drone surveillance, everwave tracks down and removes tons of plastic waste from the Chao Phraya River each month. This waste is then sorted and processed by the TerraCycle Global Foundation, contributing to a cleaner environment and healthier ecosystems. Continued … 

Power plan set to be ready by Q3

A new version of the national power development plan (PDP), which sets a direction for Thailand’s electricity generation and management through 2037, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of this year, says the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO).

Plans for oil, gas, alternative energy and energy efficiency will also be finalized in the same period, according to EPPO. Continued … 

Toyota pilots EV songtaews in Pattaya

Toyota has launched a public transport pilot project in Pattaya with nine fully electric Hilux Revo pickup trucks.

The project reflects the growing determination of Japanese automakers to challenge Chinese players that have made big inroads in the electric vehicle (EV) market in Thailand. Continued … 

The future of ethical elephant tourism in Thailand

My most shameful moment as a traveler occurred in Thailand. On my first backpacking trip at the age of 20, I sought out an elephant sanctuary in the Golden Triangle region of northern Thailand, hoping to see an elephant up close. I assumed “sanctuary” meant it was a refuge for elephants but I knew something was off when we were encouraged to climb atop the elephants that were chained to a post.

Riding elephants is a definite NO-NO!!

Ever since, whenever I see the image of an elephant, I see not Thailand’s national emblem, but a symbol of tourism gone wrong. Is it possible to engage in an ethical way with the gentle giant that has been an icon of Thailand for centuries? Determined to find out, I made my first trip back to Thailand. Continued … 

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