News

Vietnam Net 03 April 2017

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has  ordered the Vietnam Environment Administration to collaborate with Hau Giang province to investigate media reports about environmental pollution caused by Vietnam Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited after its waste treatment plant developed problems.

International Ban Asbestos Secretariat 30 March 2017 | Laurie Kazan-Allen

A historic victory was achieved on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 when the Brussels Court of Appeal upheld a ruling condemning the Belgian asbestos multinational Eternit for the environmental asbestos exposure which killed Françoise Vannoorbeek-Jonckheere (age 66) in 2000.

The Nation 27 March 2017 | Chularat Saengpassa

One-sided events will spur conflict in south if local voices not heard’, opponents say

THE SAVE Andaman from Coal Network has demanded that |authorities do not use today’s public forums to legitimise construction of coal-fired power plants in the South.

The Nation 26 March 2017  

The Pollution Control Department found that the amount of small dust particles smaller than 10 microns (PM10) already exceeded safe limits in Lampang and Mae Hong Son provinces on Sunday morning.

The ASEAN Cosmetic Committee and the national FDAs and equivalent agencies: We want the ASEAN to ban plastic microbeads and microplastics in cosmetics

Microplastic particles in personal care and cosmetic products are polluting the marine environment. With this petition, we hope to encourage regulators in the ASEAN region to decisively act and for the cosmetic industry to go for non‐plastic and non‐hazardous alternatives to protect our seas and oceans.   Sign the Petition HERE!

Vietnam Net 23 March 2017

The Vietnamese legal framework and policies regarding transparency in the mining sector is "fairly comprehensive", however, implementation of such policies leaves a lot to be desired, according to a study by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

The Nation 22 March 2017 | Pratch Rujivanarom

Wastewater is still a prominent environmental problem for Thailand, with the pollution watchdog cautioning that Thai laws are still too weak to control and reduce water pollution.

The warning comes as the regulator, the Industrial Works Department, insisted it has done its best to control and monitor wastewater discharge.

The UN’s World Water Day was marked on Wednesday under this year’s theme of “water and wastewater”.

EARTH / เหมืองแร่เมืองเลย  22 March 2017

Khon Rak Ban Koed Group (KRBKG), an anti-gold mining villagers in Loei province, Thailand, yesterday inspected Tungkum Company’s gold mine after received the invitation to witness the outcome of the Company’s rehabilitation plan since the mine was shut down.

The gold mine licenses expired on 1 January 2017, and an order issued under Section 44 of the interim charter also right now ban gold mining operations in the country.

Reuters 20 March 2017 | Agustinus Beo Da Costa

Indonesia is preparing to sue a unit of Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) over alleged environmental damage from the Montara oil spill in 2009, the country's Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry said.

The move follows earlier attempts at negotiation that stalled in 2012, and a separate class action suit filed by a group of about 15,000 Indonesian seaweed farmers seeking more than A$200 million ($154 million) from PTTEP Australasia to cover damages from the spill.

Bangkok Post 19 March 2017 | Pattaramon Sukprasert

Mining in Myanmar's industrial zone has flooded villages with problems, leading to demands that Thai investors show accountability

Over a decade ago, the Myaung Pyo creek in Myanmar's Tanintharyi region was clean and crystal clear -- a steady, trickling life source. The creek, running alongside a stretch of lush farmland, was relied on by villagers for various daily tasks such as watering crops.