The Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry has instructed governors in the North, Northeast, and Central regions to prepare emergency response plans for summer storms between 16-20 April, while simultaneously managing dust issues and assisting citizens returning to work after the Songkran break.
On 15 April 2026, Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry and Deputy Commander of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, revealed that at 05:00 today, the Meteorological Department forecasted that from 16-20 April 2026, upper Thailand will experience summer storms, including thunderstorms, strong gusty winds, and localized hail, with possible lightning in some areas. The storms will begin in the Northeast, then spread to the East, the eastern part of the Central region, and the North. This is due to a high-pressure system or cold air mass from China extending over the South China Sea, strengthening southern and southeastern winds over the lower Northeast and East. Meanwhile, upper Thailand will remain hot to very hot, and particulate matter levels during this period in the North, Northeast, and upper Central regions have exceeded standards due to dense hotspots in the North and nearby areas overwhelming the air's capacity to disperse pollutants.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that to effectively manage the summer storm situation occurring between 16-20 April 2026 and minimize impacts on people's lives and property, he has urged provincial governors in the North, Northeast, and Central regions, acting as directors of the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation commands, to monitor weather conditions closely in cooperation with local meteorological agencies and continuously inform the public about potential developments.
"At the same time, all officials at central regional offices, provincial, and local levels are instructed to inspect the sturdiness of building structures, billboards, electric poles, constructions, roadside trees, and public places. Any unsafe elements must be reinforced. They should prepare disaster machinery, personnel, and resources to promptly assist affected residents, especially Emergency Response Teams (ERT) trained to act immediately according to rehearsed emergency plans. Moreover, agricultural agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in affected areas must alert farmers to protect crops and livestock from damage."
The Permanent Secretary added that in the North, Northeast, and upper Central regions, the situation of forest fires, haze, and fine dust continues. Provincial governors and related agencies at local and central levels are rigorously implementing orders from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, including forest closures, burning bans, arresting offenders, and public campaigns on health protection such as wearing masks when outdoors. Officials maintain operations on all fronts, including ground teams and aerial firefighting, as well as cloud seeding efforts to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
"Today is still within the seven dangerous days of Songkran 2026 and the final continuous holiday for many government and private sector offices, prompting many citizens to start returning to Bangkok and other provinces for work. Therefore, the Interior Ministry, coordinating with all sectors, has set up service points and community checkpoints for people to rest or inquire about routes 24 hours a day. Rapid response teams are ready to assist, alongside campaigns emphasizing key measures: don’t drink and drive, get sufficient rest, and strictly follow traffic laws. Fuel supplies at service stations are adequate nationwide. Citizens can request assistance or report any disaster via the 1784 safety hotline of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, which is staffed and ready to respond immediately around the clock."