Thailand’s Plastic Waste Conundrum Article Despite the Thai government’s ban of four more types of single-use plastics in 2022, up to 250,000 tonnes of imported plastic waste from other nations continues to flow into the country annually through the international plastic waste trade. Thailand is trying to stay the course with further efforts to mitigate plastic pollution, but there are still challenges in waste sorting and collection on the ground. By Pratch Rujivanarom
Mekong River Flux and Flows: Capturing the Vulnerability of the Mekong Ecosystems in Thai Communities Article The Mekong Butterfly, an independent ecological group based in Thailand, has been monitoring the impacts of water levels and changing aquatic patterns on two species: the Mekong river crinum lily, a Mekong riverbank plant, and the small pratincole, a bird adapting its behavior to the new conditions. By The Mekong Butterfly
As Bangkok Drowns in Infections and Plastic, Volunteers Divert COVID-19 Era Trash Article Bangkokians rarely sort trash, often leaving soup-splashed, rotting, toxic messes on the street for garbage collectors and scavengers, who are only able to resell a fraction to be recycled. The environmentally-conscious who do sort their waste must send specific types of material to volunteer initiatives out of their own pocket. Some of these initiatives have diverted plastic into recyclable items, including PPE suits for frontline health workers, even as the capital drowns in COVID-19 and plastic. By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich
Cohabitation, Cooperation and Competition in the Mekong River Basin Article For millions of people, the Mekong River is a cohabitation of people, animals, natural resources and culture. For some states and international organizations, the Mekong River is a place where cooperation is needed for sustainable development in the region. For a few, the Mekong River is considered as a strategic area of competition for their power and influence. By Thanikun Chantra and Pradit Chinudomsub
Should Nuclear Power Have a Future in Thailand? E-Paper This E-paper by Tipakson Manpati explores the back and forth in the discourse and strategies around Thailand's politics on the use of nuclear power, including debates on energy efficiency and long-term safety issues. By Tipakson Manpati
The Dilemma of Waste during COVID-19 Pandemic Article While Thailand has prioritized measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, environmental concerns have been sidelined. Despite an overall reduction in waste, the amount of plastic and harmful microplastics have skyrocketed in the kingdom, with a weak pre-existing waste sorting and management system. By Teirra Kamolvattanavith
Veganism in Bangkok: A Successor to Buddhist Vegetarianism, Fueled by Trendiness Article Thailand has a long-standing vegan tradition in the form of jay, a Buddhist-Taoist religious practice. But more recent trends of veganism from the West carry no burden of creed nor of animal activism. In fact, going “plant-based” in Bangkok is a recent, fashionable trend fueled by Instagrammers’ photogenic shots of vegan dishes and Western culture. By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich
Sin Hengsamai, An Apis florea Honey Harvester and Organic Farmer Interview Mr. Sin Hengsamai and his wife, Mrs. Kuchanat Khemlai are organic farmers, members of the Sanam Chaikhet Organic Farming Group. However Sin prefers to work on the farm and stay at home, so Mrs. Kuchanat is the visible member of the group, whether at the weekly organic farmers market in the Sanam Chaikhet Hospital or at group meetings and events. By Michael B. Commons
COVID-19, Health Borders, and the Purity of the Thai Nation Article This article examines the ad-hoc policy and regulation applied by the Thai government in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The Thai government erected a ‘health border’ to control mobility of the people, as well as set up a governing body, the Center of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) under the emergency decree. By Jiraporn Laocharoenwong
A Passion for Pollinators in Thailand Article I have been on a journey of about two years so far to learn more about pollinators, native bees, and how we can help restore the health of their populations. On one hand this has become a personal journey. Now every day I observe flowers in bloom that I find in my garden or wherever I am to see if there are any pollinators, and if so, what species I find, and if there are few or many. By Michael B. Commons