The Deputy Government Spokesperson announced that Lamphun Province has issued a ban on the public entering reserved forests and burning activities from 10 March to 31 May 2026 to prevent and control the increasingly severe forest fire and smog situation. Violators face penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment.
On 11 March 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that Lamphun Province has issued a prohibition against anyone entering or performing any activities within the national reserved forest areas in Lamphun. This includes bans on burning forests, collecting forest products, or burning weeds in agricultural areas within the reserved forest zone from 10 March to 31 May 2026 to prevent and control the worsening forest fire and smog situation.
The Deputy Spokesperson stated that currently Lamphun faces problems with forest fires and smog caused by burning agricultural waste and the spread of fires into forest areas. This has caused PM2.5 particulate matter levels to exceed safety standards and continue to rise, potentially affecting public health and forest resources extensively.
Accordingly, Lamphun Province has exercised authority under the National Reserved Forest Act B.E. 2507 (1964), Section 25, to implement strict control measures by absolutely prohibiting anyone from entering national reserved forest areas in Lamphun throughout the specified period.
However, if the public must enter the national reserved forest areas to conduct activities that do not harm forest resources or cause forest fires and smog, they must notify and register with the local headman, village chief, or forestry agency in the area. They must specify reasons, necessity, and the times of entry and exit, and may only enter after receiving written permission from the authorities.
The Deputy Spokesperson further stated that if violations are found, such as entering the forest without permission or possessing equipment or engaging in behavior that may cause forest fires, offenders will be prosecuted under the law with imprisonment from 1 to 10 years and fines ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 baht.
"The government requests the public's cooperation to refrain from open burning and to strictly comply with the province's measures to jointly prevent forest fires, smog, and reduce health impacts during the dry season," she said.