EARTH Thailand

11/06/2026

MANILA, Philippines — At the opening of the Asian Development Bank’s Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026, civil society groups and environmental justice advocates called on the Bank to stop financing waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration, refuse-derived fuel, co-processing, chemical recycling, and other false solutions that have deepened pollution, displacement, debt, and harm to marginalized communities across the Asia Pacific.

The GWTE Circular Economy Project in Thailand is one of the clearest examples of ADB’s questionable investments. Co-financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the project approved 12 waste-to-energy plants under a single project. Serious concerns have been raised over the inadequacy of due diligence, environmental and social risk assessments, stakeholder consultations, and information disclosure.

“Approving financing for this industrial waste-to-energy project was a major mistake by the ADB management. From the very beginning, the project failed to prioritize transparency and timely disclosure of project information, restricted meaningful participation by affected communities, and did not adequately assess its environmental and social impacts,” said Dawan Chantarahesdee of Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH).

Sumet Rienpongnam of Strong Prachinburi Community Network mentioned, “By approving a loan for this project despite these serious concerns, ADB risks sending a dangerous message: that intimidation, harassment, and the exclusion of affected people from decision-making are acceptable practices in projects financed by international development institutions.”

Read more: https://www.pressenza.com/2026/06/over-20-billion-spent-locking-countries-into-crisis-advocates-demand-adb-end-support-for-false-solutions/

MANILA, Philippines — At the opening of the Asian Development Bank’s Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026, civil society groups and environmental justice

11/06/2026

ADB = "BAD"? -- During the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026, affected communities from Thailand raised concerns over a 12-in-1 waste-to-energy project co-financed by the Asian Development Bank.

The project involves 12 waste-to-energy power plants, presented as small-scale facilities owned by separate companies. However, community representatives pointed out that these companies are subsidiaries of one major conglomerate in Thailand.

They also raised concerns that the plants are not truly spread out, with the 12 facilities concentrated in only five provinces, including Prachin Buri, Chonburi, Rayong, Saraburi, and Ayutthaya. In Prachin Buri alone, three facilities are located close to each other in the same province, and therefore, their impacts should have been assessed as clustered facilities.

For affected communities, this raises serious questions about whether the project is sidestepping environmental rules and regulations by dividing one large-scale project into smaller parts.

Communities are calling on ADB to listen to affected people, uphold environmental safeguards, and stop supporting waste-to-energy incineration projects that threaten communities, livelihoods, and the environment.

09/06/2026

THAILAND & POLLUTED CANAL: Arsenic and lead levels exceeding surface-water standards were detected at three monitoring locations in Saraburi's canal network, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) said.

At the upstream section of Klong Nong Nam Khiao, arsenic was measured at 0.013 mg/litre and lead at 0.072 mg/litre, above the respective limits of 0.010 mg/litre and 0.050 mg/litre.

Elevated arsenic levels were also detected downstream of an industrial estate, where arsenic reached 0.019 mg/litre.
At K*t Nok Phlao weir, arsenic and lead were recorded at 0.020 mg/litre and 0.076 mg/litre, respectively, both above surface-water standards.

At K*t Nok Phlao weir, arsenic and lead were recorded at 0.020 mg/litre and 0.076 mg/litre, respectively, both above surface-water standards.
Read more: Bangkok Post 7 June 2026
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3267088/arsenic-lead-taint-saraburi-canals

Arsenic and lead levels exceeding surface-water standards were detected at three monitoring locations in Saraburi's canal network, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) said.

08/06/2026

As Lead Paint Continues to Threaten Children’s Health, Groups Globally Call for Controls on Lead Chromates, Pigments Used in Lead Paint

IPEN and its 730+ member groups from around the world are highlighting the ongoing risks to children from lead paint, noting that a key ingredient in lead paint, the pigments known as lead chromates, should be considered for global controls under the Rotterdam Convention.

Read more: https://ipen.org/as-lead-paint-continues-to-threaten-childrens-health-groups-globally-call-for-controls-on-lead-chromates-pigments-used-in-lead-paint/

On World Environment Day, IPEN is calling for global controls on lead chromates, the pigments used in lead paint.

Lead paint remains a major source of childhood lead exposure in many countries, and it is past time to eliminate lead paint globally to protect children’s health.

🔗 Read more: https://ipen.org/as-lead-paint-continues-to-threaten-childrens-health-groups-globally-call-for-controls-on-lead-chromates-pigments-used-in-lead-paint/

08/06/2026

RIVER POLLUTION & TRANSBOUDARY IMPACTS: A race to dig rare earths and metals in the mineral-rich mountains of eastern Myanmar is polluting waterways that millions of people living downstream depend on after a new tungsten mine reportedly began operations near the Thai border, according to environmental groups.

Environmental groups in Myanmar and Thailand say the last two years have seen a surge in toxic pollution near the headwaters of the Salween River in Myanmar, running downstream into the Sai River and Kok River in Thailand.

Thailand’s pollution department has repeatedly detected above safe levels of heavy metals – including arsenic – in the Kok River, Chiang Rai province, which borders Myanmar.

Illegal mines are getting bigger and reportedly more profitable as prices of rare earths surge.

“The source of unregulated mines is expanding very fast in Shan state. They are pouring toxins into our rivers, and the situation is getting worse,’’ said Pianporn Deetes, executive director at the Rivers and Rights global movement.
Read more: SCMP 5 June 2026
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3356085/race-rare-earths-myanmars-borders-fuels-pollution-fears

Russian and Chinese firms are also competing to be the first to reach a tungsten mine in a conflict zone, sparking concerns of NGOs.

06/06/2026

RIVER POLLUTION: CHIANG RAI – On Friday, June 5, 2026, local environmental activists, community leaders, and villagers gathered at the Chiang Rai Provincial Hall in northern Thailand to demand immediate government intervention against severe heavy metal pollution in five major rivers.

They had just completed an exhausting six-day protest march, hoping to present their case directly to the Prime Minister or the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. Instead, they were met by a lower-ranking assistant minister, a move that sparked widespread frustration.

The communities are now urgently pleading with the highest levels of government to step in, secure safe drinking water, and use diplomatic power to stop the toxic cross-border mining runoff that is quietly destroying the Kok, Ruak, Mekong, and Salween rivers.

The pollution ruining these rivers does not start in Thailand. It flows across the border, making it a complex international issue. This is exactly why local activists are begging for high-level diplomatic intervention.
Read more: Chiang Rai Times 6 June 2026
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/environment/northern-thailand-citizens-demand-national-action-on-river-pollution/

Communities are now urgently pleading with the highest levels of government to step in, secure safe drinking water in northern Thailand

05/06/2026

TRANSBOUNDARY RIVER POLLUTION: A northern river protection network has invited China's ambassador to Thailand to visit Chiang Rai on World Environment Day and hear concerns over toxic river pollution linked to cross-border mining activities.

The group also submitted a letter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, calling for the issue to be treated as a national priority and for stronger government action against pollution in rivers shared with Myanmar and Laos.

The appeals come amid growing concerns over contamination in rivers along Thailand's borders with Myanmar and Laos, where local groups blame poorly regulated mining operations for releasing heavy metals into waterways that communities rely on.
Read more: Bangkok Post 4 June 2026 https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3265563/chinese-ambassador-invited-to-discuss-river-pollution

A northern river protection network has invited China's ambassador to Thailand to visit Chiang Rai on World Environment Day and hear concerns over toxic river pollution linked to cross-border mining activities.

05/06/2026

THAILAND & E-WASTE: Thai authorities have raided an unlicensed factory reportedly operated by Chinese nationals that was secretly sorting and processing electronic waste in the heart of Samut Sakhon province.

Police from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED) and officials from the provincial office of the Ministry of Industry inspected the premises of Hongyue Hongyue Renewable Resources Technology (Thailand) Co in Tambon Bang Thorad of Muang district on Saturday.

They were following up on complaints from local residents that large quantities of electronic waste had been illegally imported and stored at the site.

Provincial industry officials confirmed that the factory lacked a valid operating licence. The accumulated materials, consisting of mixed wiring and metal fragments, were believed to constitute hazardous substances, with an estimated volume of 3,274 cubic metres.

Following the inspection, the industry officials filed a complaint with investigators at the Bang Thorad police station, seeking legal action against the company for establishing and operating a factory without a licence in violation of the Factory Act.
Read more: Bangkok Post 30 May 2026
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3263319/chineserun-illegal-ewaste-plant-raided

Thai authorities have raided an unlicensed factory reportedly operated by Chinese nationals that was secretly sorting and processing electronic waste in the heart of Samut Sakhon province.

04/06/2026

MEKONG RIVER: Arsenic concentrations in sediments along the Mekong River remain more than twice the level considered safe for aquatic life, according to researchers from Chiang Mai University, who warn that contamination remains a serious environmental and public health concern and likely originates from upstream sources in neighbouring countries.

“Our research team would like to stress that arsenic is a silent threat. It accumulates in the human body and can cause long-term health impacts. Communities living along the Mekong should remain vigilant and take precautions in their daily lives”, said Asst Prof Dr.Wan Wiriya, deputy head of the Environmental Science Research Centre and a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Science.
Read more: Transborder News 4 June 2026
https://transbordernews.in.th/home/?p=46414

ข่าวสะท้อนสังคม

03/06/2026

THAILAND & RIVER CONTAMINATION: The government should treat transboundary pollution in the Kok River basin as a national agenda issue, the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) says, as the threat to locals' health and incomes persists.

Toxic contamination from heavy metals could create severe long-term health, economic and environmental consequences for communities in the North, it warned.
Read more: Bangkok Post 2 June 2026 https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3264615/river-pollution-threat-persists

The government should treat transboundary pollution in the Kok River basin as a national agenda issue, the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) says, as the threat to locals' health and incomes persists.