Thailand: environment

How much CO2 does Thailand emit?

Thailand emitted 283.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, up from 275.0 million in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. That is about 4.0 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank per capita series.

Emissions have stayed between about 270 and 285 million tonnes since 2021. The figures follow the World Bank's series based on international datasets; Thailand's own greenhouse gas inventory, reported to the UN climate convention, uses different methods.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, Thailand · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Thailand

How bad is air pollution in Thailand?

Average exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in Thailand was 23.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, down from 25.2 in 2020, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. The World Health Organization guideline is 5.

The figure is a population-weighted yearly average, so it hides seasonal haze and much higher levels in some places and months. Daily air quality readings are published by the Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Thailand · Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

How much of Thailand is covered by forest?

Forests covered 38.7% of Thailand's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The share has fallen slightly each year, from 39.5% in 2021. The figures are estimates based on national forest data reported to the FAO, which uses its own definition of forest, so they can differ from Thailand's Royal Forest Department figures.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Thailand

How much of Thailand's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 19.9% of Thailand's electricity in 2021, the latest year in the World Bank World Development Indicators, up from 18.8% in 2020. Renewables were 19.0% of final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank.

The renewable share was 25.2% in 2019 and moves with rainfall, which affects hydropower, and with the use of biomass. The World Bank series lags several years; newer energy statistics are published by the Energy Policy and Planning Office.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Thailand · World Bank: renewable energy consumption, Thailand · Energy Policy and Planning Office

Is Thailand running short of water?

Thailand withdrew 23.0% of its available freshwater resources in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The share has been the same since 2019 because the underlying data are updated only occasionally. The national figure hides seasonal droughts and floods, which vary between regions and years. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for water resources policy.

Official sources: World Bank: level of water stress, Thailand · Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

How much CO2 does Thailand emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Thailand at 4.0 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 4.0 tonnes; its low point was 2009, at 3.4 tonnes. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Thailand placed 12th highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 64th highest.

What are Thailand's emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Thailand was 422 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Thailand is 7th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 19th of 186.

How much of Thailand's energy is renewable?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 19.0%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 14.9%; Thailand is 14th highest of 30. Worldwide: 110th of 191.

How much of Thailand is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 38.7%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 53.6%, and Thailand placed 21st highest of 29. Worldwide: 75th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Thailand?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Thailand was 23.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 34.0 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005 and the low 22.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017. East Asia & Pacific median: 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Thailand is 6th highest of 30. Worldwide: 66th of 192.

How much of Thailand's land is protected?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Thailand was 18.4%, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the lowest since at least 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.8%, and Thailand placed 11th highest of 30. Worldwide: 92nd of 192.

What is water stress in Thailand?

23.0%: that is water stress in Thailand for 2022, according to the FAO. It has not changed since 2007. It is 9th highest of 20 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 13.1%. World rank, highest first: 62nd of 175.