EARTH Thailand

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Suffering downstream of polluting coal plants

Vietnam Net 14 March 2018

The heavy toll taken by coal-fired power plants has prompted many pro-environmental international organisations to oppose banks in several nations that plan to provide loans for these plants in Vietnam, which mandatorily still considers coal a big power generator for the energy-thirsty country.

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Burning coal may have caused Earth’s worst mass extinction

The Guardian 12 March 2018 | Dana Nuccitelli

New geological research from Utah suggests the end-Permian extinction was mainly caused by burning coal, ignited by magma

Earth has so far gone through five mass extinction events – scientists are worried we’re on course to trigger a sixth – and the deadliest one happened 252 million years ago at the end of the Permian geologic period. In this event, coined “the Great Dying,” over 90% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species went extinct. It took about 10 million years for life on Earth to recover from this catastrophic event.

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Bangkok Eyes Burning? Residents Advised to Get Good Masks

Khao Sod 09 February 2018 | Chayanit Itthipongmaetee

BANGKOK — Throats are sore, breathing is labored and eyes itching in Bangkok, where the air has been fouled to “unhealthy” levels, according to monitors.

But cheap masks from the talad won’t help, the experts say. Get one rated for the very teeny-tiny particles that are the invisible killers in the air.

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UN moves towards recognising human right to a healthy environment

The Guardian 09 March 2018 | Jonathan Watts

Formal recognition would help protect those who increasingly risk their lives to defend the land, water, forests and wildlife, says the UN special rapporteur on human rights and the environment

It is time for the United Nations to formally recognise the right to a healthy environment, according to the world body’s chief investigator of murders, beatings and intimidation of environmental defenders.

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Thai coal mining subsidiary fined $145,000 for dumping hazardous waste

The Jakarta Post 09 March 2018 | Moses Ompusunggu

JAKARTA – An Indonesian subsidiary of a Thai coal mining company operating in East Kalimantan has been fined Rp 2 billion (US$145,000) for dumping nearly 4,000 tons of hazardous coal waste on an open dump, which is considered illegal in Indonesia.

In a ruling dated Dec. 6, 2017, the Tenggarong District Court in East Kalimantan found PT Indominco Mandiri -- a subsidiary of coal producer Indo Tambangraya Megah (ITM) that is controlled by Banpu Group Thailand -- guilty of illegally dumping two types of waste, fly ash and bottom ash, which were produced at the firm's coal power plant.

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New ruling gives govt ‘upper hand’ in Klong Dan dispute

The Nation 08 March 2018| WICHIT CHAITRONG, KESINEE TAENGKHIEW

Wissanu confident of winning the case after verdict Nullifies damages.

THE CENTRAL Administrative Court’s nullification of an earlier ruling in connection with the corruption-ridden Klong Dan wastewater treatment scheme has given the government the upper hand over private firms behind the project that sought massive compensation from the state, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said.

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Air quality worsens but data lacking in Northeast areas

The Nation 07 March 2018 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

AIR POLLUTION from particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) continues to ravage the North and Northeast but no accurate measurements are available, as many provinces do not have PM2.5 monitoring stations.

As seasonal haze intensifies in the North from the accumulation of fine particulate matter in the air, a PM2.5 monitoring device in Khon Kaen yesterday indicated that air pollution was also occurring in the Northeast. However, the extent across the region is unknown as only Khon Kaen has a monitoring station.

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B6bn Klong Dan water plant damage erased

Bangkok Post 06 March 2018

The Central Administrative Court on Tuesday revoked the arbitration order demanding the Pollution Control Department pay 6 billion baht in compensation to the builder of the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant.

The court rejected Vichitphan Construction Co and partners' demand for compliance with the arbitration order for payment of 4.98 billion baht and US$31.03 million, plus interest.

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Chiang Mai doctor savages authorities as pollution levels soar

The Nation 06 March 2018 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

CHIANG MAI – THE SMOG situation in the North has reached hazardous level, especially in Lampang, where the amount of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) has increased beyond 200 milligrams per cubic metre of air.

Air quality in the northern region yesterday, measured by both the Pollution Control Department (PCD) and international air quality monitoring website, aqicn.org, showed that the PM2.5 level in many provinces was rising steadily. 

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Residents demand help after report concludes mine hazard

The Nation 02 March 2018 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

Tests of groundwater in Phichit area indicate toxic sulphates and heavy metals came from Akara’s tailing storage facility.

PEOPLE affected by environmental and health impacts from the Akara Resources Chatree gold mine in Phichit province yesterday urged authorities to address their problems, after an inspection by scientists of the mine’s first Tailing Storage Facility (TSF1) confirmed the leakage of toxic substances to the environment.

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