Three Deputy Interior Ministers collaborate with the Defense and Digital Ministries to utilize Air Force technology to identify hotspots for resolving issues related to wildfires, haze, and fine particulate matter. They also open support areas for aircraft from the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department.
At 1:00 p.m. on 16 April 2026, at the conference room of the Ministry of Defense Command Center, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phon Pee Suwanchavee, Deputy Minister of Interior; Je Seth Thaiseth, Deputy Minister of Interior; and Worasit Liangprasith, Deputy Minister of Interior, held a meeting to discuss enhancing the management efficiency of wildfires, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The meeting involved the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. The meeting was chaired by Lt. Gen. Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defense, and Chaiyachon Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society. Attendees included Nan Boonthida Somchai, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society; Gen. Tharapong Malakham, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense; Theerapat Kachamat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation; Chairat Kaewpiangpen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation; representatives from the Royal Thai Air Force; heads and officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.
This meeting followed directives from the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who instructed the Ministry of Interior to integrate efforts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, all relevant agencies, and the military to focus on resolving problems of wildfires, haze, and fine particulate matter in 17 northern provinces and other provinces nationwide. The goal is to urgently end issues adversely affecting public health and causing damage to the country’s ecosystems and natural resources.
The meeting reached consensus to upgrade and enhance the efficiency of tackling wildfires, haze, and fine particulate matter by employing the Air Force's technological system, specifically the aerial patrol operation system that accurately identifies hotspots. This enables timely data sharing with relevant agencies to support wildfire suppression operations both on the ground and by aircraft, resulting in faster mission success. Additionally, support areas are opened for aircraft from the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department to conduct weather modification operations effectively addressing particulate matter problems.
The Deputy Minister of Interior assigned the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to collaborate with the Royal Thai Air Force and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to integrate and support the missions of northern provinces and all provinces facing these issues. The objective is to maximize problem-solving efficiency to alleviate and eventually eliminate the problems, ensuring citizens have clean air and can return to normal, healthy lives as swiftly as possible, in accordance with the directives from the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.