News

EcoWaste Coalition 05 March 2017

Twenty paint companies are now producing architectural, decorative and household (ADH) paints free of health-damaging lead-based-pigments, driers and anti-corrosion agents.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a chemical safety and zero waste watch group, revealed the good news after receiving written responses from paint manufacturers confirming their compliance with the three-year phase-out period for lead-containing ADH paints that ended last December 31, 2016.

The Nation 04 March 2017 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

EXTREMELY small particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is affecting many parts of the country but measures of these hazardous particles are still not part of the official Air Quality Index.

The Nation 01 March 2017 | Pratch Rujivanarom

Short-term supply sufficient although annual growth set at 4%

ACADEMICS said yesterday that the southern region would still have stable power generation in the near future even without the proposed Krabi coal-fired power plant, although Thailand would have to invest in some form of new power generation in the long term.

The Nation 01 March 2017 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

DAWEI, MYANMAR -- PEOPLE in Heinda district in Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Region have been deprived of clean water, amid claims that a tin mine operated by a Thai firm has contaminated the river and water sources with heavy metals.

VietNamNet Bridge 28 February 2017

While the world strives to use more clean energy, Vietnam focuses on developing coal thermal power.

A report from the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) released in 2015 showed that hydropower accounted for 43.2 percent of installation capacity and made up 34.15 percent of total electricity output. Meanwhile, the figures were 33.7 percent and 34.37 percent, respectively, for coal thermal power.

Under the seventh power development strategy, coal thermopower will play a key role in Vietnam’s energy sector. The electricity output from coal thermopower is expected to account for 49.3 percent by 2020 and 55 percent by 2025.

The Nation 27 February 2017 | PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
 
DAWEI, MYANMAR -- COMMUNITY groups in Thailand and Myanmar have urged protection of human rights and prevention of environmental impacts – after Thai entrepreneurs were reported to have carried out abusive and environmentally damaging acts in neighbouring countries.

Bangkok Post 24 February 2017 | Nattaya Chetchotiros & Wassana Nanuam

'Major protest on the way' if government fails to act

Authorities have until Monday to withdraw the environmental and health impact assessment studies for the controversial Krabi power plant project or brace for a major protest, a group opposing the project warns.

Bangkok Post 23 February 2017

A Thai-owned mine in a village in the Tanintharyi region in Myanmar was allegedly found to have released wastewater and contaminated a creek used by locals, according to a study by Naresuan University (NU).

According to the study, several water and soil samples collected from a creek and Myaung Pyo village, in the Tanintharyi region, located west of Phetchaburi province, were found to be contaminated with an alarming level of manganese, said Tanapon Phetrat, NU's environmental engineering professor who led the study team.

The Nation 22 February 2017 | Pratch Rujivanarom

Claim firm has mined illegally at night, ore must not be removed.

PEOPLE in Loei have urged government agencies to inspect the Tungkum gold mine amid reports of illegal mining, producing many tonnes of ore being despite the mine’s permission to use local forestland having expired.

Bangkok Post 22 February 2017 | EDITORIAL

That is the problem for coal adherents. Coal is dirty. That includes "clean coal". What worked for the 19th and much of the 20th centuries is outdated, filthy and unacceptable to a majority of the country. Even if it is efficient, which it really isn't, coal is no longer a satisfactory option. And this is where Gen Prayut, Egat and the NEPC have made terrible decisions.