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Climate change: Thailand on the clock/Sustainability: Thailand’s ‘Paradise Beaches’/To boost green finance for SMEs/Smart Cities in Southeast Asia/Digital trade and Sustainable Development/Thailand Boosts Sustainable Tourism/Energy: National energy plan faces delay/Tax Cuts for Rooftop Solar/PTT lays out its strategic plan/New solar panel partnership/Koh Lipe Resort’s Solar Power/Southeast Asia’s solar boom threatened/Water: Waste choking the Chao Phraya/Air: New biodiesel being tested/Plastics: Fight Against Ocean Plastic/Recycling: Sustainable Plastic Upcycling/Electric vehicles: EV battery boom/Changan to open Thai EV factory/Hyundai unveils EV plans/Xpeng launches electric SUV/7,000 EV charging outlets by 2030/
Thailand on the clock to adopt global pacts on emissions
Thailand needs to quickly adopt and implement international agreements on reducing carbon emissions to prevent adverse effects on the country’s exports and investments, warns caretaker Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.
In his keynote speech, delivered at the “ESG Forum: Time for Action”, Pichai said Thailand has only six years left to adopt and implement international pacts on cutting carbon emissions, as stipulated by international accords. Continued …
Preserving Thailand’s renowned ‘Paradise Beaches’
Thailand is home to many renowned “paradise beaches”, and the authorities are constantly looking for ways to safeguard these pristine coastal areas for future generations. One such example is Koh Kradan, which was recently named as the “World’s Most Beautiful Beach 2023”.
Another famous “paradise beach” in Thailand is Maya Bay, which was made popular by the 2000 film “The Beach”. After being closed to tourists for four years, Maya Bay has recently reopened, though visitors are no longer allowed to swim there to help safeguard the area. Continued …
Bank of Thailand launches initiative to boost green finance for SMEs
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has announced a joint initiative with eight Thai banks to encourage the creation of financial products that help smaller companies become more sustainable. The project will see Bangkok Bank, Krungthai Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, Kasikornbank, Kiatnakin Phatra Bank, Thanachart Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and the United Overseas Bank collaborate with the central bank along with government agencies and other partners.
While major Thai companies are starting to adapt well to more sustainable practices, “small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still much less aware than large businesses of the need to adapt to the green economy,” BoT Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told the recent Financing the Transition event hosted by the central bank. Continued …
Smart Cities in Southeast Asia: Paving the Way for Sustainable Urban Development
In the dynamic landscape of Southeast Asia (SEA), smart cities are emerging as a beacon of hope for sustainable urban development. With rapid urbanization, cities in the SEA region are facing a multitude of challenges, from traffic congestion to environmental degradation. However, the integration of smart city technologies is beginning to make a significant difference.
Thailand is recognized as a frontrunner in the smart cities sector within the Southeast Asia region. According to data provided by Statista, the smart cities market will reach a revenue of US$228.70 million by the end of the year in the country, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.66%. Continued …
Digital trade and the Sustainable Development Goals: A dynamic agenda
The rapid growth of digitalization has fundamentally altered commerce, impacting production and facilitating the movement of goods. The 2023 Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report (APTIR) has pointed out that although digital trade revenues of Asia and the Pacific account for a significant share of global trade, this growth is uneven, with trade concentrated in a few areas, leading to disparities across the region.
Studies show a positive relationship between digital trade and progress on sustainable development goals (SDGs). These linkages among digital trade policy and the social and economic pillars of the SDGs may appear more indirect, but they do manifest through economic channels. Continued …
Thailand Boosts Sustainable Tourism with ‘The One for Nature’ Campaign
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled the third edition of its “The One for Nature” campaign, introducing the new tagline, “Leave No Trace Behind.” This initiative encourages travelers to explore Thailand with a focus on responsible tourism, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the nation’s tourism sector.
Nithee Seeprae, TAT deputy governor for marketing communications, said, “The campaign reflects TAT’s vision to position ourselves as a leader in sustainable, experience-based tourism. Various activities under this campaign are aimed to create memorable experiences for visitors and contribute to global conservation efforts, while addressing the demand for eco-friendly travel options and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Thailand’s tourism sector.” Continued …
National energy plan faces delay amid cabinet reshuffle
Thailand’s new national energy plan (NEP), outlining the roadmap toward a low-carbon society, is expected to encounter a delay due to the protracted process of forming a new cabinet under the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration, says the Energy Policy and Planning Office.
Having undergone a public hearing, the NEP was originally set to be finalized by the National Energy Policy Council, led by the premier, in September and should be enforced in October, said Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo, director-general of the office. Continued …
Thailand Urged To Expand Tax Cuts for Rooftop Solar Panels
The IEEE Power and Energy Society in Thailand is urging the government to expand its new tax-reduction scheme for rooftop solar panel installations, aiming to boost the adoption of clean energy. Designed to offer tax incentives to 90,000 households from this year to 2027, the scheme is awaiting final approval within the second half of the year.
Households purchasing solar panels with a power generation capacity under 10 kilowatts and costing less than 200,000 baht are eligible, as per the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. Continued …
PTT lays out its strategic plan for sustainability and green energy
Thai energy giant PTT has a new strategic plan focused on improving industrial dicarbonization, merging its electric vehicle (EV) business brands, and attracting partners to invest in its petroleum operations, group CEO and President Kongkrapan Intarajang announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
The strategies follow on from the group’s strong first-half performance, which resulted in a net profit of 64.437 billion baht, up 34.4% year on year. The strong results were primarily driven by the refining and petrochemical industries, which benefitted from higher oil stock profits and favorable product pricing. Continued …
New solar panel partnership targets higher sales
New Energy Plus Solutions Co., a local distributor of solar panels, has partnered with Chinese solar panel maker LONGi Green Energy Technology in a bid to increase sales amid intensifying competition.
The company, which sells solar panels made by Shanghai-based Jinko Solar Holding, decided to cooperate with LONGi, which specializes in developing new solar power technology. Continued …
Koh Lipe Resort Elevates Guest Experience with Solar Power
Like many remote islands, Koh Lipe struggles with an unstable power supply. Though connected to Thailand’s power grid, the island experiences frequent outages due to maintenance issues, severe storms, and system overloads.
In light of these power interruptions, Akira Lipe Resort has faced challenges in maintaining a stable power supply. During peak tourism seasons, surging electricity demands result in frequent voltage fluctuations and blackouts, compromising the visitor experience. Continued …
Southeast Asia’s solar boom threatened by US-China trade tension
The future of Southeast Asia’s booming solar industry, which produces the most panels in the world after China, is being thrown into doubt as the United States looks set to impose hefty tariffs on the region.
Chinese firms that set up factories there over the last decade are now being accused of skirting U.S. import levies on their home market. At least three – including Longi Green Energy Technology and Trina Solar – have scaled back operations in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, which, along with Cambodia, are being targeted by Washington. Continued …
Following the waste that’s choking the Chao Phraya
The Chao Phraya River is born from mountain streams in northern Thailand, flowing hundreds of kilometers south to the sea. By the time the river travels through Bangkok and empties into the Gulf of Thailand, it is carrying huge quantities of plastic waste – an estimated 4,000 tons every year. The plastic clogs the river along its course, drastically impacting communities and the waterway’s ecology.
The Chao Phraya starts at the confluence of the Ping and Nan rivers, which meet in Nakhon Sawan province in the heart of Thailand. Although the river’s waters have already traveled half of the country’s length by this point, it is still relatively clean, flanked by villages and farms. Continued …
New biodiesel being tested that promises 30% lower CO2 emissions
A new biodiesel called “HVO” that promises reduced greenhouse gas emission is now being tested under a collaboration between Tri Petch Isuzu Sales and national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc.
HVO is a mixture of used vegetable oil and diesel fuel, resulting in a biodiesel that emits 30% lower carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to regular biodiesel, Tri Petch Isuzu Sales said on Friday. Continued …
Thai Union Strengthens Fight Against Ocean Plastic
Thai Union Group PCL has announced new partnerships aimed at tackling plastic pollution. The company has joined forces with Seven Clean Seas and Second Life to implement innovative solutions that significantly reduce plastic waste entering the ocean.
Thai Union has partnered with Second Life, a social enterprise dedicated to collecting and recycling ocean plastic. Together, they will focus on removing ocean-bound plastic from the coastal and remote island regions of Krabi, Ranong, Trang, and Phang-nga. Continued …
Ajinomoto Thailand Introduces Sustainable Plastic Upcycling Initiatives
Ajinomoto Co. (Thailand) is incorporating the circular economy into its business operations, with a primary goal of achieving zero plastic waste and reducing environmental impacts by 50% by 2030.
The company has launched the “Waste to Worth for Well-Being” project in collaboration with Trash Lucky, an eco-friendly startup. This initiative focuses on effective plastic waste management, and emphasizes expanding the company’s green culture by repurposing recycled plastic bottles into eco-friendly uniforms for Ajinomoto employees. Continued …
EV battery boom: Can AI help Thailand drive to the top?
Thailand is revving up for a major geopolitical boost by focusing on electric vehicle (EV) batteries and auto components, including integrated circuit packaging and testing. According to Taiwan’s Profet AI, the key to speeding up product delivery, slashing costs, and raising standards lies in adopting cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) amid ongoing economic headwinds.
Jerry Huang, co-founder and CEO of Profet AI, said around 40% of their 300 Taiwanese clients are eyeing a move to Thailand to dodge geopolitical pitfalls. Among those considering the shift are big players in the EV battery and auto parts industries, as well as semiconductor manufacturers and circuit board producers, said Huang. Continued …
Changan to open Thai EV factory next March
Changan Automobile’s first electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Southeast Asia is set to open in Thailand in the first quarter of next year, with a total investment budget exceeding 10 billion baht.
“We expect to start producing battery EVs in March 2025,” said Shen Xinghua, managing director of Changan Auto Southeast Asia, a subsidiary of the Chongqing-based company. The company will produce right-hand drive EVs for sale in the domestic market, and use the Thai facility as its production base to export left-hand drive EVs, he said. Continued …
Hyundai unveils EV plans in Thailand with Bt1 billion investment
South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor has announced plans to invest 1 billion baht to manufacture electric vehicles under the Ioniq brand in Thailand, following investment promotion approval by the Board of Investment. Production is set to start in early 2026, with Thonburi Automotive Assembly, a long-time partner, handling assembly.
Hyundai Mobility Manufacturing (Thailand) said the investment would be used to establish EV and battery production facilities in Thailand, in line with the Thai government’s EV3.5 policy supporting the EV industry. Continued …
Xpeng launches G6 electric SUV in Thailand
Xpeng has launched its first model in Thailand, after striking a deal with a local dealer five months ago. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker launched the right-hand drive version of the Xpeng G6 SUV (sport utility vehicle) in Thailand, marking a major step in its expansion in Southeast Asia.
The current vehicle system language for the G6 available in Thailand is English, and Xpeng plans to offer a Thai version of the system in the future. Xpeng will provide a full range of services to customers by establishing a marketing and service network in major cities in Thailand, it said. Continued …
PTT targets 7,000 EV charging outlets by 2030
National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc aims to focus more on electric vehicle (EV) charging services, in line with Thailand’s expanding EV market, but will consider adjusting its other EV-related businesses, including its electric car assembly operations
The EV charging business, operated by PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR), a subsidiary of PTT, is robust and growing, he said. OR earlier announced it plans to increase its investment in the battery-charging business via its EV Station PluZ plan. Continued …