(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)In 2025, Thailand faced a convergence of challenges that had laid bare its vulnerability to environmental degradation, natural disasters, and complex regional dynamics. Environmental data points to the rapid growth of unregulated mining activities in Myanmar's Shan State, an area known for rare-earth and gold extraction. Although Thai authorities previously pledged to raise the issue with Myanmar, no concrete progress has been reported, leaving affected communities frustrated and vulnerable. Thai testing in May showed average arsenic levels of around 0.025 mg/L -- more than double the standard limit. Jumbos on jumbosBeyond natural disasters, 2025 also saw a sensitive diplomatic debate over Thailand's proposal to repatriate two Thai elephants from Sri Lanka.

Source: Bangkok Post December 26, 2025 23:02 UTC