BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong has chaired the first 2024 meeting of the Committee on Air Pollution Management, joined by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and senior officials. The meeting focused on strategies to address wildfire, haze, and PM2.5 pollution, prioritizing public health and the restoration of air quality.
Key measures revolve around reducing wildfire hotspots in 14 forest and agricultural zones, discouraging crop-burning practices, and enhancing urban dust control with stricter vehicle emission checks and factory compliance with environmental standards. Provincial governors will lead local response efforts, supported by improved public communication to raise awareness and minimize public concern.
Resolutions adopted by the committee include forming dedicated task forces to manage PM2.5 pollution in forests and urban areas and establishing an Air Pollution Communication Task Force to streamline public information. Agencies have been instructed to follow a wildfire and haze management calendar and secure budget allocations for operations from January to May 2025.
The Air Pollution Coordination and Resolution Center has also been launched to monitor, forecast, and coordinate responses. Recent discussions, led by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, addressed Bangkok’s PM2.5 challenges and related environmental issues. The integrated approach is expected to mitigate health and economic impacts while promoting cleaner air and better public well-being in the coming year. (NNT)
