This article highlights the variety of chemicals used in Thailand, including the frequency of use and impacts on natural systems. Environmental pressures are increasing as existing land and water resources come under threat from rapid urbanization. Land is “being withdrawn from agricultural production, creating additional pressures for the reallocation of water now used in agriculture.” This can be a huge challenge for farmers and other Thai people involved in the agriculture business. Not even just agriculture, this use of land and increase in pesticides contributes to changes in daily life. Rivers are polluted with chemicals and land loses its fertility with every round of fertilizers used, whereas “ between 1961 and 2004 fertilizer use increased more than 100 times.” 

Not only is it the natural environment we traditionally believe is impacted, human health takes a big hit with the use of these biochemical substances. Pesticides are known to cause “acute and chronic toxic effects in humans.” This poses risks for future generations, but the authors of this text argue that working with nature rather than against it to increase production is key. Thai farming practices have been around for centuries, and this proposes changes that could bring farmers back to their roots of sustainable farming in tune with nature.

Nitrates and pesticides are contributing to significant pollution in northern Thailand, in the city of Chiang Mai. Whereas, “the same toxic blue-green alga Microcystis aeruginosa was found in every sample taken in Mae Kuang Udomtara reservoir in Chiang Mai,” highlighting the damage already seen in natural nitrates systems.

Novotny, Vladimir, et al. “Use of Agrochemicals in Thailand and Its Consequences for the Environment.” Greenpeace, Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Feb. 2008, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253402369_Use_of_agrochemicals_in_Thailand_and_its_consequences_for_the_environment.