CHIANG MAI, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin visited Chiang Mai province on March 30 to assess the ongoing forest fire, haze, and PM2.5 situation affecting the northern region. The trip included a meeting with provincial leaders and relevant agencies to review conditions and response measures.
Officials briefed Suchart at the provincial command center on current operations and coordination efforts. Attendees included Chiang Mai Governor Rattapol Naradisorn and senior representatives from environmental and local agencies, who outlined strategies to manage fires and air pollution across affected areas.
Suchart later traveled to Sri Lanna National Park to observe firefighting efforts in steep, hard-to-reach terrain. Operations involve helicopters and drones supporting ground teams, along with the delivery of additional equipment. He also received updates from field personnel on operational challenges and ways to improve efficiency.
Authorities said that while conditions remain severe across 17 northern provinces, the situation has shown improvement compared with the same period last year, with fewer hotspots and lower PM2.5 levels. Officials are continuing patrols, satellite monitoring, aerial support, and enforcement measures, while also safeguarding personnel and working to restore air quality and confidence in Chiang Mai as a tourism destination. (NNT)
