Thai NuRA Project Targets Coastal Pollution
Chulalongkorn University, throughChulaUnisearch, in collaboration with Thailand’s Pollution Control Department under theMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment, and theUnited Nations Environment Program (UNEP)via theCoordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA),held an inception workshop to launch the“ThaiNuRA” (Nutrient Reduction Action)project under the theme“Seeding a Nutrient Pollution Reduction Strategy for the Coastal Waters of Thailand”on May 7, 2026, at Skyview Hotel Bangkok.
The event was attended byProf. Dr.WilertPuriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, along with executives and experts from government agencies, international organizations, and academia.
On this occasion,Dr.SupichaiTangjaitrong, Executive Director of ChulaUnisearchand the university’s representative, stated:“Chulalongkorn University is ready to serve as a driving academic force through research and cross-sector collaboration to identify and sustainably reduce the ‘sources’ of nutrient pollution flowing into Thailand’s seas.”
The project aims to address pollution caused by nitrogen and phosphorus, which are major contributors to algal blooms — also referred to in Thailand as the “Matcha Sea” phenomenon — that negatively affect marine ecosystems, tourism, and the country’s fisheries sector.
The ThaiNuRAprojectoperatesunder the “Source-to-Sea” concept, focusing on pollution management from inland sources to coastal waters. Its activities include knowledge development, policy support, pilot-area innovations, and stakeholder participation across sectors.
Thailand is one of 14 countries receiving support from theGlobal Environment Facility (GEF)under the global GEF-8Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program (CHO-IP).
Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/304462/