Chiang Mai is taking serious action against the sources of forest fire smoke in response to the Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary's directive. The governor emphasized that any further offenders will be arrested again. At present, all sectors must work together to eliminate the forest fire smoke problem as quickly as possible.
On 3 April 2026, Mr. Assisit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, revealed that this morning he received a report from Mr. Ratphon Naradisorn, Governor of Chiang Mai, about the detention of individuals illegally entering the forest. The arrest took place at 1:00 a.m. by a joint patrol team from the Chai Prakan District Office, Pha Daeng National Park, and the 33rd Military Circle. They conducted checkpoints to catch people illegally entering forests, setting fires, and hunting at night around Ban Kiu Jampee, Sri Dong Yen Subdistrict, Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai.
The officials arrested one suspect illegally entering the forest at night carrying a black backpack. Inspection revealed numerous firearm-related items including a homemade gun, gunpowder, and many bullets (pellets). Drug paraphernalia were also found, such as a bamboo pipe (used for smoking), foil with signs of use, and a lighter. The suspect admitted to entering the forest for two days to set up animal traps known as 'raew kreua' used to catch wildlife like civets and wild rabbits. He also confessed to using drugs in the forest, returning to his community after consumption. The officials then brought the suspect to file charges with the Chai Prakan Police Station, informing him of his rights before detaining him for prosecution.
This arrest was carried out following the orders of Mr. Assisit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, who recently visited Chiang Mai between 1-2 April 2026 to monitor efforts addressing forest fires, smoke, and fine particulate pollution. This was under directives from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who instructed the Chiang Mai governor, other northern provincial governors, department heads, district chiefs, subdistrict chiefs, village heads, and local administrators to implement all measures, especially strict law enforcement. They are to patrol and arrest anyone illegally entering forest areas without exception, in accordance with provincial announcements that currently prohibit entry into forests across northern provinces. The goal is to maximize the effectiveness of resolving the forest fire, smoke, and particulate matter situation and to restore normalcy as soon as possible.