{
  "id": 2415893,
  "title": "The Last Breath of Rayong",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/the-last-breath-of-rayong",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T05:42:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Diplomat",
    "slug": "the-diplomat",
    "url": "https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/the-last-breath-of-rayong/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the coastal fishing village of Rayong, Thailand, a growing crisis threatens the livelihoods of its residents. This once thriving community, known for its rich marine resources, now faces the devastating consequences of industrial expansion. The construction of the massive MapTaPhut Phase 3 port and the development of large-scale LNG projects have disrupted the delicate balance of the coastal ecosystem, putting the future of Rayong's fisheries in jeopardy.\n\nFisherfolk in the Klonglawon community have shared their stories of once bountiful seas, where fishing was a reliable source of income. However, in recent years, the seas have changed dramatically due to industrialization and related development projects. Fish stocks have dwindled, and the community now struggles to make ends meet. One fisherman lamented, \"We used to fish regularly, and we are at ease earning money from fishing. Now the seas are changing tremendously due to industrialization and its expansion, with seas filling and other so-called 'development' projects. Fish are reducing, and our livelihoods are at the front lines. It will never be the same without rehabilitation.\"\n\nThe injustices faced by Rayong's fisherfolk extend beyond environmental concerns to encompass unequal power structures. These communities have little influence over decisions that shape their future, leaving them vulnerable to the impacts of LNG development. Thailand's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, with natural gas accounting for 58 percent of its power generation mix, exacerbates this issue. As external LNG imports drive up electricity costs, the Thai government has been forced to increase its dependence on LNG to ensure energy security.\n\nWhile Thailand has set ambitious targets to reduce its reliance on gas, it remains deeply intertwined with LNG, which continues to shape the country's electricity prices. In 2024, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) advocated for a plan to reduce reliance on imported gas and LNG, urging the acceleration of clean, renewable energy sources such as solar. However, the establishment of LNG facilities like terminals and regasification plants continues to pose significant risks to coastal ecosystems, marine habitats, and fisheries.\n\nThese projects contribute to ecological damage through dredging, deepening navigation channels, and the construction of terminals and regasification facilities. The resulting destruction of marine ecosystems, fish habitats, and wetlands poses a severe threat to Rayong's fisheries. Moreover, the operational phase of LNG terminals has been criticized for methane emissions, coastal and marine environment destruction, and the collapse of coastal communities' livelihoods.\n\nEnvironmental damage extends beyond the immediate impact of LNG projects. The use of water for cooling industrial processes and the subsequent release of this water back into the ocean poses further harm to marine resources. A notable example is the Freeport LNG project in Texas, United States, which has been criticized for destroying coastal areas, fisheries, and potentially posing health risks to the population.\n\nThe consequences of LNG expansion in Thailand go beyond ecological concerns, touching on community rights, the right to nature, and ecological justice. The community's rights to marine resources are violated as they can no longer fish and earn income from their traditional profession. In September 2025, Rayong fisherfolk submitted a complaint to the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights during her visit to Thailand. The complaint highlighted the ecological and livelihood impacts of LNG expansion, emphasizing human rights violations as fisherfolk were excluded from the Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) process and decision-making on LNG projects.",
  "summary": "Planned LNG projects and land reclamation operations in the southern Thai province are taking a toll on its fishing communities.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}