Category Archives: thailand water

Monday’s news-April 29

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  • Is Southeast Asia’s infrastructure unfit to deal with the region’s new climate reality?
  • Evaluating the impacts of climate change on future droughts
  • Transforming Thailand’s rice sector toward low emissions
  • Cadmium Waste Transfer Initiated: Environment Safety Assured
  • Minister Fuming At Chemicals Leaking At Ayutthaya Factory
  • Stricter Laws Needed to Manage Thailand’s Hazardous Waste Crisis
  • Loei Celebrates Green Destinations Silver Award/
  • Reservoirs in Korat drying up
  • Study identifies global water scarcity hot spots
  • The Secret Life of Plastic Exports
  • Second phase of Phetchaburi macaques relocation project launched
  • Chiang Dao wildlife sanctuary closed due to man-made hotspots
  • Lahore Airport Seizes 200 Rare Turtles Smuggled from Thailand
  • Tourism Authority Encourages Eco-Friendly Stays with CF-Hotels Network

Is Southeast Asia’s infrastructure unfit to deal with the region’s new climate reality?

South and Southeast Asia are in a state of emergency after extreme heat levels. Record-breaking temperatures in Bangladesh, the Philippines and Thailand have led to school closures, power shortages and heat-related deaths. Video … 

Evaluating the impacts of climate change on future droughts in northeast Thailand

The impacts of climate change (CC) on droughts are well documented, but the effects of land-use change (LUC) are poorly understood. This study compares the projected individual and combined impacts of these stressors on future droughts (2021–2050), with respect to baseline (1981–2010) in one of the major tributaries of the Mekong River.

LUC impacts on hydrological droughts are minimal compared to CC, with the latter expected to shorten the recurrence interval of a 20-year return period event to every 14 years. Both CC and LUC have significant impacts on agricultural droughts with heightened sensitivity. Continued … 

Transforming Thailand’s rice sector toward low emissions

As global attention turns toward sustainable agricultural practices, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has organized a policy forum titled “Strengthening Thailand’s Low-Emission Rice Market: Learnings from the Thai Rice NAMA Project” at Asawin Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok. #thailandrice

The policy forum aims to address and deliberate on the critical developments and challenges in the transition toward low-emission rice production in Thailand, and represents a pivotal moment for stakeholders invested in sustainable agriculture and climate mitigation strategies for a transformational change in the Thai rice sector. Continued … 

Loei Celebrates Green Destinations Silver Award

Loei Province’s Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) collaborated with Chiang Khan subdistrict municipality to organize the flag handover ceremony the Green Destinations Silver Award 2024, which recognizes success in sustainable development at the cultural plaza in Chiang Khan District, Loei Province.

This event was attended by Green Destinations board members, government agency leaders, and agency officials from Loei Province, as well as district agencies, municipalities, villages, and entrepreneurs. Continued …

Cadmium Waste Transfer Initiated: Environment Safety Assured

The government is expected to kick off a major project of moving 270 tons of cadmium waste today. This initiative, under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, involves transporting the waste from J&B Metal Co. in Samut Sakhon and Lor LohaThai Metal Co. in Bangkok back to Tak province.

The plan outlines using four trailers from J&B Metal to carry 120 tons of cadmium, while Lor LohaThai assigns six large-capacity trucks to transport the remaining 150 tons. Rigorous inspections will take place before the vehicles leave to avoid any environmental risks due to leakage or contamination. Continued … 

Minister Fuming At Chemicals Leaking At Ayutthaya Factory

Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul is furious at chemicals leaking at a factory in Ayutthaya province for the third time in a row Saturday and ordered the Department of Industrial Works to quickly resolve this problem and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

She is concerned about the safety of people living near Ek Uthai Co.’s factory in Uthai district and recent chemical leaks and fires at this and other factories and warehouses affecting the country’s tourism image. Continued … 

Stricter Laws Needed to Manage Thailand’s Hazardous Waste Crisis

Thailand’s waste management crisis has come to the fore after fires at hazardous waste facilities in Rayong and Ayutthaya, and illegal smuggling of toxic waste across provinces. Concerns are growing as the country reportedly generates 36 million tons of hazardous waste every year according to the Department of Pollution Control. #thailandhazwaste

Experts accuse the government of lax law enforcement and inadequate investment in recycling. More than 2,500 recycling and industrial waste plants are spread across the country, with about a third located in provinces linked to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Continued … 

Reservoirs in Korat drying up

Water levels in 27 reservoirs in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima have dropped to about 40.6% of their full capacities, or only a combined 494.16 million cubic meters, due to the continuing hot weather. #thailanddrought

The usable water is estimated at 431.69 million cubic meters, or 37.4% of the combined capacities of all 27 reservoirs. Continued … 

Study identifies global water scarcity hot spots and reasons for their existence

Global freshwater resources are vital to humanity and ecosystems, yet billions around the globe face water scarcity issues on a monthly basis. A team of scientists from Utrecht University in collaboration with National Geographic Society has identified global water scarcity hotspots around the world. In these regions long-term overuse of freshwater resources leads to the threat of freshwater depletion and societal impacts.

The following countries and regions can, for a variety of reasons, be considered as water scarcity hotspots: the Arabian Peninsula, central Chile, Spain, the Murray-Darling Basin (Australia), Japan, the North China Plain, the Central Valley (California), the U.S. High Plains, the Sudanese White Nile Basin, the Nile Delta, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Indus and Ganges river basins, coastal Peru, Iran, Mexico, Java, Vietnam and Thailand. Continued … 

The Secret Life of Plastic Exports

An ABC News investigation involving hidden tracking devices follows three plastic bags dropped off at Walmart recycling bins in the U.S. all the way to controversial plastic facilities in Southeast Asia. Video … 

Second phase of Phetchaburi macaques relocation project launched

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) yesterday launched the second phase of a project to relocate macaques from the Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park to the Huai Sai Wildlife Breeding Center. # Phetchaburimacaques

Cages have been placed at 12 spots around the Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park, known as Khao Wang, in Muang district, to capture 205 macaques. Continued … 

Chiang Dao wildlife sanctuary closed due to man-made hotspots

The Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai province has been indefinitely shut down by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. The decision comes in the wake of the discovery of several man-made hotspots in areas of key ecological importance. #chiangdao #chiangmai

The department’s chief, Attapol Charoenchansa, announced the measure as an immediate response to the pressing issues of forest encroachment, forest burning, and unauthorized homestay operations within the sanctuary. He highlighted the significant damage caused by man-made fires to rich ecological systems and biosphere reserves. Continued … 

Lahore Airport Seizes 200 Rare Turtles Smuggled from Thailand

Pakistan’s Punjab Wildlife Department made a breakthrough when it seized 200 unique turtles trafficked from Thailand at Lahore Airport. Authorities acted quickly after receiving a tip to stop the unlawful shipment of turtles. #wildlifetrafficking

These rare turtles, carefully wrapped in groups of 100, were bound for Pakistan from Thailand. After obtaining intelligence regarding the smuggling attempt, the Wildlife Department promptly coordinated measures to catch the culprits and protect the endangered species. Continued … 

Tourism Authority Encourages Eco-Friendly Stays with CF-Hotels Network

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is encouraging hotel operators and tourists to participate in its “CF-Hotels” initiative, aimed at mitigating climate change effects.

The initiative includes the www.cf-hotels.com online platform, designed for hotel and lodging operators to compile an environmental inventory (including data on energy, water, waste, and greenhouse gases) and assess their carbon footprint. This analysis helps illustrate the environmental impact of hotel operations and the effectiveness of their sustainable management practices. Continued …