BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has directed her Cabinet to intensify efforts to tackle rising levels of PM 2.5 dust pollution, as identified recently through satellite imagery. Following a Cabinet meeting, the prime minister tasked multiple ministries with implementing urgent measures to mitigate its impact on public health and the environment.
The Ministry of Industry has been instructed to collaborate with sugarcane processors to reject crops harvested through burning, a practice previously responsible for 70% of PM 2.5 emissions. While this figure has dropped to 30-35%, additional steps are being taken to achieve further reductions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is working with farmers to explore alternative waste management methods to minimize field burning.
The Ministry of Transport is strengthening the enforcement of emission controls on large vehicles that contribute to hazardous air pollutants. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior is mobilizing the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, provincial governors, and local authorities to monitor pollution levels and implement protective measures for affected communities.
The prime minister expressed confidence that the coordinated efforts of government agencies, along with preparations to address anticipated pollution spikes, would significantly reduce PM 2.5 levels this year, improving air quality, safeguarding public health, and benefiting communities across Thailand. (NNT)
