Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Environmental pollution in Thailand - statistics & facts
Thailand’s environmental pollution is mainly a result of a rapidly increasing population, industrial activities, and a growing economy. Big cities like Bangkok suffer pollution issues such as an increasing volume of improperly disposed solid waste, bad air quality, and noise pollution. Meanwhile, water quality in the country is also compromised by agricultural deforestation, expansion of communities, and improper wastewater drainage. In 2024, the number of complaints filed regarding environmental pollution in Thailand amounted to over 23,000 cases.
Pollution issues in Thailand
Unsurprisingly, air pollution is among the most severe pollution issues among Thai citizens. Together with noise pollution, it accounted for the majority of complaints filed against environmental issues in 2024. Air pollution in Thailand is mainly caused by traffic congestion and industrial emissions. Aside from air pollution, solid waste management is also a pressing issue in the country. With more than 27 million metric tons of solid waste produced in Thailand in 2024, there are 120 properly managed waste facilities. Meanwhile, the number of improper waste disposal sites in the country amounted to almost 2,000 units. In comparison, water quality in Thailand was on average good or fair among the 70 essential surface water sources surveyed in the country.Pollution management and solutions in Thailand
The Pollution Control Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for pollution control in Thailand. Several measures have been introduced to tackle pollution, such as detecting vehicles that produce black exhaust smoke, forbidding open burning, and cooperating with vehicle manufacturers to reduce air pollution. A reduction of plastic use is also encouraged nationwide. Certain retailers already adapted to this approach by offering paid-reusable bags instead of plastic bags to consumers. In addition, the development of a water drainage standard for industrial plants has also been initiated. In 2023, the government spent more than nine billion Thai baht on environmental protection in Thailand, which was a decrease, compared to the previous year.
