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How Euro trash ends up in SE Asia
Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, are facing an influx of illegal waste shipments from industrialized nations, with a considerable amount trafficked from Europe.
According to a new UN report mapping waste trafficking trends from Europe and Southeast Asia, criminal actors exploit loopholes and legitimate business structures, making waste trafficking one of the most significant crimes that can affect the environment. Continued …
Cadmium scandal sheds light on loopholes in Thai law on hazardous waste
After more than 1,000 tons of carcinogenic cadmium waste from Tak went missing, concerns are growing that loopholes in Thailand’s hazardous waste controls could be fatal. Exposure to cadmium and its compounds can lead to fever, headache, and breathing difficulties. Worse still, it is known to cause cancer and also exacerbate diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Health checks on locals living near a Samut Sakhon-based foundry where 6,492 tons of smuggled cadmium waste was found earlier this month showed unusually high levels of the poisonous metal in 16 people’s urine. They require medical treatment. Continued …
Procurement department strives for greener methods
The Comptroller-General’s Department, responsible for supervising government procurement amounting to as much as 7% of GDP, is gearing up to enforce green practices among contractors engaged in government projects.
According to Patricia Mongkhonvanit, the department’s director-general, the agency will gradually implement measures requiring entrepreneurs supplying goods or services to the government to adapt. Continued …
Ministry launches initiative to combat coral bleaching in warming seas
Expressing deep concern over rising sea temperatures, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan has instructed the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to address the problem of coral bleaching.
#coralbleaching
Pacharawat, who is also deputy prime minister, highlighted the global climate crisis and the imminent threats posed to both humanity and marine ecosystems. Coral bleaching, exacerbated by rising temperatures, has become increasingly prevalent, prompting urgent action. Continued …
ASEAN Leadership Key to the Success of Global Plastic Treaty to End Plastic Pollution
Between April 23-29, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet with other countries in Ottawa, Canada, for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) meeting to develop text for an international legally binding instrument known as the Global Plastics Treaty to address plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, through a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastics. #plastic treaty
Plastic pollution has multiplied hand-in-hand with growth in plastic production, with single-use plastics contributing up to 50% of total production. While recycling rates are projected to increase from 9% in 2019 to 17% by 2060, 70% of plastic waste – which is projected to have tripled by then – would still end up incinerated or in landfills. Continued …
China, Thailand Flock to Laos Rivers for Electricity
Pak Beng is a small, sleepy town in northern Laos. Little happens in this town except when the slow boat emerges on the Mekong River pier at six in the evening. When that happens, shops, bars, and restaurants near the pier come alive to greet arriving tourists. #mekongdams
Like many rural towns in Laos, Pak Beng lacks infrastructure. However, about two months ago, a small development startled some residents. They discovered a company planning to build a new hydropower dam nearby. Continued …
Thailand’s Nex Point looks to ASEAN’s growing EV market
The global campaign against carbon dioxide emissions is not only benefiting electric vehicle sales in Thailand, but also fueling EV growth in Southeast Asia. #nexpoint
Nex Point Plc, a local assembler of commercial EVs, plans to take advantage of this trend by exporting its vehicles abroad after securing its position in the domestic market. Continued …
‘Forest bathing’ in Thailand
Nestled within Southeast Asia, Thailand emerges as a tranquil sanctuary for those seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of nature through forest bathing. This practice, which hails from Japan, has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of Thailand’s verdant landscapes.
The northern region of Thailand, characterized by its vast tropical rain forests and extended dry periods, stands out as an exemplary setting for individuals aiming to find peace and foster a profound bond with the natural world. Forest bathing in this context transcends mere casual walks; it is a purposeful exploration aimed at diminishing stress, lowering blood pressure, and boosting overall health. Continued …
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