The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior announced that governors in northern provinces have declared 17 districts across 3 provinces—Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Phayao—as emergency disaster assistance zones due to wildfires, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), allowing governors to use advance government funds to help the public.
On 4 Apr 2026 at 12:00 GMT+7, Mr. Assit Sampantarat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, disclosed the management of wildfire, haze, and PM2.5 situations across 17 northern provinces. Currently, provincial governors, acting as directors of provincial disaster prevention and mitigation, are using legal mechanisms under disaster prevention laws to implement plans with full cooperation from all sectors, aiming to resolve the situation and restore normalcy swiftly.
The Permanent Secretary stated that to ensure unified disaster management for wildfires, haze, and PM2.5 in line with orders from the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Ministry of Interior through the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, as the central disaster management command, has received reports on emergency disaster assistance declarations for wildfires, haze, and PM2.5 in 3 provinces: 1. Chiang Mai has declared emergency wildfire assistance zones covering 7 districts—Hot, Samoeng, Doi Saket, Chiang Dao, Mae Wang, Mae Taeng, and Mae Rim—comprising 40 subdistricts, 338 villages, and 27 communities; 2. Lamphun declared an emergency assistance zone for PM2.5 pollution in 1 district, Li, covering 8 subdistricts and 99 villages; 3. Phayao declared emergency disaster zones for wildfires and PM2.5 covering 9 districts: Mueang Phayao, Chun, Chiang Kham, Chiang Muan, Dok Khamtai, Pong, Mae Chai, Phu Sang, and Phu Kamyao.
He added that declaring emergency disaster assistance zones enables provincial governors to manage and utilize advance government funds to aid those affected, according to the Ministry of Finance regulations on advance funds for emergency disaster assistance 2026 and other budgets. This allows unified management of the situation and effective relief for damage to life and property. As local leaders close to the people, governors can coordinate all sectors to provide timely aid and alleviate public hardship, ensuring effective local problem-solving. The Ministry of Interior continues to monitor wildfire, haze, and PM2.5 management and supports governors’ roles in resolving the crisis, helping people return to normal life promptly.