Environment and land

Solving Thailand’s deteriorating soil — the lifeblood of agriculture — doesn’t just require commitment from policymakers and innovative tools, but also collaboration from farmers themselves.Denuded mountains and mono-cropping, as evident in vast areas of the northern province of Nan, have brought severe soil erosion and ...

Thailand is scaling back production forecasts for key agricultural commodities because of a drought, dealing a further blow to the country’s struggling economy.Rice, rubber and sugar are among the crops that help to sustain 11 million jobs, drive consumption and color the political mood of ...

The cabinet has approved a draft ministerial law on construction as it steps up efforts to reduce harmful levels of ultra-fine particles of dust.The current law, enforced since 1983, is too old to be applied to modern building methods in line with safety and environmental ...

Thailand risks losing its place as the world’s second biggest rice exporter this year thanks to weaker competitiveness and a lack of rice varieties to cater to changing market demand.Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said amid stiff competition, relatively higher production ...

The cabinet on Tuesday approved additional tax measures to boost private investment in 10 special economic zones (SEZs) and the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).Government spokeswoman Naruemon Pinyosinwat said one of the two measures is a reinstated corporate income tax of 10%, down from 20%. ...

Rights groups and researchers have welcomed Thailand’s decision to cancel a Beijing-backed project to dredge and blow open a shallow and rocky stretch of the Mekong River along the Thai-Lao border.The move is a rare victory for groups and communities fighting to save Southeast Asia’s ...

Bangkok’s seaside neighbour Samut Sakhon is known for many things — as a fishing hub, a thriving seafood market, and also as the largest location of Myanmar’s migrant community in Thailand.The province has boasted a port for at least two centuries which allowed it to ...

In a momentous win for the Mekong River, this week the Thai Cabinet formally called for cancellation of the Lancang-Mekong Navigation Channel Improvement Project, popularly known as the Mekong “rapids-blasting” project. The cabinet decision is the culmination of decades of campaigning by Thai Mekong communities ...

Fifteen supermarkets and buyers in the US, UK and EU have sent a letter to Chalermchai Sreeon, Minister of Agricultural and Cooperatives, as well as the Royal Thai embassies abroad, praising Thailand for its progress in reforming the fishery industry and rectifying key pieces of ...

The water supply system in the Mukdahan village of Ban Wong Phra Chan has never worked in its three years of existence, village headman Songka Deeduangphan told reporters on Wednesday (February 5).The system was installed in 2017 for the benefit of people living in a ...