BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul will lead a ministerial delegation to Chiang Mai on April 20, 2026, to follow up and intensify the government’s efforts to address forest fires, haze, and PM2.5 pollution in northern Thailand.
Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek stated that the Prime Minister will depart after his budget policy briefing for the 2027 fiscal year. The delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, and other ministers responsible for agriculture, defense, health, and digital affairs.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will chair a strategic meeting with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and representatives from Northern provinces. The goal is to issue proactive directives to strengthen the national response to the air quality crisis.
Key policy areas include stricter management of high-altitude farming, enforcement of trade regulations to reduce or ban imports of agricultural products linked to open-field burning, enhanced public health measures for residents affected by air pollution, and improved logistical and financial support for forest fire containment. The spokesperson said that the Prime Minister expressed deep concern about the impact of PM2.5 on public health and the economy, especially in tourism and agriculture. The government aims to integrate environmental, health, and economic perspectives into a sustainable solution for the northern provinces. (NNT)
