Environmental Issues in Thailand
Surface water monitored in the northern, central, and southern regions appear to have poor quality, while water in the eastern region was fair. The central, eastern, and central regions rank the lowest, about 2 mg/L. In terms of dissolved oxygen (DO), surface water in the northern region ranks the best, approximately 6 mg/L, followed by the northeastern region with DO concentrations of around 4 mg/L. Compared to other regions, the rivers and lakes monitored in the northeastern region had good quality surface water. The highest concentration of total coliform bacteria (TCB), among surface waters monitored, was found in the central region with concentrations of TCB higher than 4,000MPN (most probable number)/100mL.
February and March as the two months when conditions are at their worst. The level of PM10 in the nine regions-Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, Phayao and Tak-was measured at between 68 and 160. The haze level was considered unhealthy in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, and Phrae Provinces. He said that the Pollution Control Department had reported that the levels of particulates measuring less than 10 micrometres-known as PM10-had crossed the prescribed safe threshold of 120 in four out of nine provinces where monitoring was conducted. In February 2016, Director-General Chatchai Promlert of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said that the haze affecting northern Thailand has reached levels that can be considered harmful to health. The dry forest soil leads to lower water intake for trees to extract when the rains arrive.
Buakamsri, Tara (8 December 2016). “Our silent killer, taking a toll on millions” (Opinion). Nalampoon, Anan. “National Forest Policy Review: Thailand”. Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan. Forest Fire Control Division. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/THE WORLD BANK. Kundhikanjana, Worasom (16 March 2019). “Identifying the Sources of Winter Air Pollution in Bangkok, Part I”. Sriyaraj, Kanyawat; et al. Forest Fire Control Division. Samabuddhi, Kultida (16 March 2012). “PM misses the boat again on northern haze”. Kundhikanjana, Worasom (31 March 2019). “Identifying the Sources of Winter Air Pollution in Bangkok, Part II”. United Nations Environment Programme.
The PCD estimates that in 2017 organic waste collected by municipalities across Thailand accounted for nearly two-thirds of the country’s total waste output: a reported 7.6 million tonnes- 64%-of the refuse collected was organic waste. Prevailing attitudes do not encompass composting or waste sorting: 64 percent of the Thai population do not sort their rubbish according to one study. This in a nation where 400,000 to 600,000 children may be undernourished due to poverty, yet ten percent of all children are obese. It is thought that a significant portion of this waste is not merely fruit and vegetable peelings, but edible surplus food. Thailand generated two million tonnes of plastic waste.
