Thailand shuts 12 national marine parks amid coral bleaching crisis
Thailand has closed 12 of its national marine parks following the discovery of widespread coral bleaching blamed on global warming. #thailandmarineparks
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan rushed to Phuket to monitor the situation amid mounting concerns over bleaching of coral reef ecosystems. Continued …
Thailand travel leader commits to investing in a more sustainable future
In a first for the travel and tourism sector within the Kingdom of Thailand, Minor International has committed to lower emissions and to conserve precious water resources, as part of an innovative sustainability-linked financing deal. #minorinternational
Travel and tourism delivers many benefits, creating jobs, strengthening economies, and reducing poverty and inequality. Yet, these benefits often come at a cost. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimates that 1.3 billion tons of waste, or between 4%-8% of global waste, is produced by tourists every year. When left unchecked, the industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, potential land exploitation, water wastage, wildlife disruption and reduced biodiversity. Continued …
Thailand tackles smog crisis with door-to-door campaigns against agricultural fires
In a bid to combat the country’s seasonal air pollution crisis, national parks in Thailand have taken to door-to-door campaigns to educate locals on the dangers of using fire to clear plantations and agricultural waste.
The Forest Protection and Fire Control Office at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has reported a 38% decrease in man-made forest fires this year compared to 2023, thanks to enhanced cooperation from local communities. Continued …
Smoggy Bangkok gets a badly needed breath of fresh air
For more than half a century, Thailand’s state-owned tobacco monopoly mass-produced cigarettes at a sprawling industrial estate in Bangkok. A steady stream of heavy trucks brought raw tobacco into the heart of the city and hauled millions of cigarettes away.
But now, that cancer-inducing complex has given way to something completely different: green space that has brought a breath of fresh air to the capital’s congested, often smoggy center. Continued …
Toxic Times: Public alerted to dangers of chemical fumes
Thailand’s health authority is warning members of the public about the dangers of toxic fumes following chemical blazes in Rayong and Ayutthaya in recent weeks.
Dr. Attapon Kaewsamrit, deputy director-general of the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Health, advised people to stay upwind from the source in a ventilated space at least 300 meters away if a chemical fire breaks out near their community. Continued …
Residents of Chachoengsao Province on High Alert Due to Electronic Waste Dumping
Recent reports out of Chachoengsao province have brought to light a concerning situation involving the dumping of electronic waste and sulfur on empty land in the Sanam Chai Khet district. #thailandhazwaste
The area where the waste has been dumped is raising alarms due to fears that toxic chemicals may seep into a nearby canal, which serves as a vital water source for numerous villages. Continued …
Biden administration set to hit Beijing with tariffs on EVs
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration will announce as soon as this week plans to sharply raise import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and a range of other goods related to the new energy economy, according to U.S. media reports. #evtariff
Following its review of Section 301 tariffs originally put in place by the administration of former president Donald Trump in 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative office (USTR) is expected to raise the tariff rate on EVs from China to roughly 100% from a rate of 27.5%, The Wall Street Journal reported. Continued …
Toyota’s Thai unit agrees to boost EV incentives
The Thai unit of Toyota Motor Corp. on Friday signed an agreement with the Southeast Asian country on incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the major regional auto production base.
The incentives include tax breaks and subsidies to help make EVs cheaper, the finance ministry said in a statement. Continued …
Ministry working to save dugongs
About 20 dugongs have died this year in Thai waters, including four in just the past five days, prompting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to take immediate action to protect the remaining population. #dugongthailand
According to the minister, Police Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan, the warming of the oceans has caused extensive damage to sea grass in the Andaman Sea off Trang and Krabi provinces. Continued …