A Chinese company has expressed interest in investing in the Yuam River water diversion megaproject in Thailand, which aims to divert water to refill Bhumibol Dam in Tak. The 70-billion-baht project has passed an Environmental Impact Assessment and awaits consideration by the National Environment Board. Weerakorn Khamprakorb, a Palang Pracharath Party MP, suggests that with Chinese expertise, costs could be reduced and construction time shortened. However, local villagers and environmentalists express concerns over potential land expropriation, ecosystem damage, and the project's rapid progress despite its complexity and cost.

The article discusses the severe issue of illegal sand mining in Thailand's section of the Mekong River, which has led to environmental degradation and cultural loss. Had Hae, a beach that serves as a community hub and tourist attraction, is shrinking due to excessive sand extraction. The Mekong River Commission's 2018 report identifies sand mining as a major factor contributing to sediment loss. The sand mining industry, worth US$175 million annually, is poorly regulated, with influential people often involved in illegal operations. Despite laws and bilateral agreements, enforcement is fragmented and ineffective. The article also touches on the global sand crisis and the need for sustainable alternatives, such as using recycled materials. The story is part of the “A Thirst for Sand” series by the Environmental Reporting Collective, highlighting the environmental destruction and human toll of the sand mining industry.

In the Mekong region, the demand for sand has surged due to urbanization and construction, leading to environmental degradation and riverbank erosion. Sand mining, particularly in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, has intensified, with volumes extracted potentially exceeding sustainable levels. The Mekong River, shared by six countries, is a major source of sand, but lacks a regional regulatory framework. The industry is poorly regulated, and local communities suffer from land loss and property damage. A collaborative transboundary approach is needed to address the environmental and social impacts of sand mining.

The Thai government's strategy to address garbage pollution through small localized waste-to-energy projects is facing criticism from environmentalists and experts. These projects, which are expected to increase in number, are seen as potentially exacerbating environmental degradation and haze pollution. Critics argue that the government's approach, which includes exempting these projects from certain environmental assessments, prioritizes energy recovery over sustainable waste management and overlooks the importance of waste generation prevention. Environmentalists are concerned about the emission of hazardous pollutants and greenhouse gases, and experts suggest a waste management hierarchy that emphasizes prevention and recycling over disposal.

Environmental activists and experts in Thailand are urging the next government to support the Clean Air Bill to address PM2.5 problems and reduce health impacts from air pollution. The current administration failed to pass the bill, and civil society groups have been advocating for it since 2020. Prof Siwatt Pongpiachan highlighted the inefficiency of current measures and the need for an integrated approach to enforce clean air laws. The bill would establish a new environmental protection agency with authority to enforce the law and provide incentives to reduce pollution emissions. However, resistance exists due to overlaps with other ministry laws and business interests. Alliya Moun-ob from Greenpeace Thailand expressed concerns that the bill endorsed by over 50,000 people might be watered down or discarded. The Palang Pracharath Party's bill, which imposes weaker regulations, is one of the two remaining bills in parliament.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt, COP27, established a 'loss and damage' fund for developing countries but failed to make significant commitments to phase out fossil fuels. Climate activists and organizations like Greenpeace International and Amnesty International expressed disappointment, citing a lack of substantive climate actions to limit global warming to 1.5C. The influence of the fossil fuel industry was criticized as a barrier to stronger commitments. Despite these setbacks, Thailand's Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning views the conference's outcome positively, with Thailand announcing strategic plans for climate mitigation and greenhouse gas reduction.

Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is facing criticism for its carbon sequestration policy, which uses forest ecosystems as natural carbon sinks to fight climate change. The policy, announced at the Thailand Climate Action Conference, aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. It includes carbon credit trading in the forestry sector, which has garnered interest from corporations for reforestation to gain carbon credits. Critics, however, argue that this strategy could allow for greenwashing by the fossil fuel industry and concentrate forestland management in the hands of authorities and large companies, undermining climate change mitigation efforts. The government is accused of monopolizing forestland management, and there are calls for respecting the communal rights of forest communities.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is redeveloping Bangkok's drainage system to combat flooding, with a focus on enhancing canal efficiency and tunnel projects. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt emphasized the importance of both systems and the need for regular maintenance, including canal dredging and waste management. The BMA, with support from various agencies including the army, is prepared to address flood-related issues. Expert Sitang Pilailar from Kasetsart University highlighted the need for increased pipe capacity and better water management infrastructure.

The article discusses the conflict between Thailand's climate change mitigation efforts, which involve the construction of numerous water management projects, and the preservation of the country's unique freshwater biodiversity. It highlights the discovery of a species of loaches thought to be extinct, in a protected forest area, which is threatened by a proposed dam project by the Royal Irrigation Department. The article also touches on the potential environmental damage from nearly 3,000 water projects proposed in 2022, the centralization of water management under the Office of National Water Resources after the 2014 military coup, and the increase in budget and number of water projects in recent years. It raises concerns about corruption and the lack of transparency in public spending on these projects. The article concludes with the ONWR's shift towards incorporating nature-based solutions and the need for meaningful public participation in water management decisions.

Thailand's government investment in large-scale water resource development projects to address flooding and drought is threatening the country's unique freshwater species and biodiversity. Ecological experts warn that the 48,000 new projects planned nationwide could damage fragile river and wetland systems. The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and experts like Nonn Panitvong have raised concerns, especially about the impact of a proposed irrigation dam on the Phachi River's biodiversity. Despite the Office of the National Water Resources' (ONWR) assurances that projects are vetted for environmental impact, critics argue that the developments, particularly check dams, will disrupt ecosystems and lead to species extinction. ONWR plans to implement nature-based solutions in the future, but skepticism remains about their effectiveness in balancing environmental conservation with water resource management.

Environmental and climate-change issues are increasingly demanding solutions, highlighted by events such as COP26, where world leaders discussed climate actions and Thailand's Prime Minister pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial pollution, including a hazardous chemical explosion at Ming Dih Chemical Co, continues to cause environmental and health issues. Protests in Bangkok opposed development projects due to environmental concerns, while plastic pollution worsens, exacerbated by the pandemic. The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex's World Heritage status is a win for the government but raises concerns for indigenous Karen villagers over their rights.

A hawksbill sea turtle was found dead on Na Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Thailand, with its stomach full of plastic waste and fishing net pieces. The Royal Thai Navy’s Sea Turtle Conservation Centre conducted an autopsy and confirmed the debris as the cause of death. Marine biologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat highlighted the tragic frequency of such incidents in the Gulf of Thailand and called for urgent action from Thai authorities to address the marine debris problem and regulate marine activities to protect sea turtles.