The government is advancing forest fire suppression using satellite technology, issuing swift orders to successfully control the Maetang situation despite the remote forest's inaccessibility. The cause was identified as foraging activities, and the public was urged to "refrain from burning under any circumstances."
17 Apr 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Lalida Pertviwatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has intensified efforts to address forest fires by focusing on modern technology, especially the satellite hotspot tracking system, as the primary tool for prompt detection and command to control situations in a timely manner.
In the latest case, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to deploy personnel to control forest fires in the area of Sri Lanna National Park, Ban Pao Subdistrict, Maetang District, Chiang Mai Province, after receiving reports of nine heat spots from the Suomi NPP (VIIRS system) satellite at 01:43 a.m.
However, the affected area is deep forest, making access difficult. Officials had to spend time trekking and carefully planning entry before reaching the fire site and starting firefighting operations at 1:10 p.m., successfully controlling the situation by 4:00 p.m. The dry dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forests were damaged over approximately 70 rai. Thanks to rapid orders, 24 officers from various units, including park rangers and patrol teams, integrated their efforts efficiently despite challenging terrain.
Ms. Lalida added that using satellite data allows officials to see fires early, reach them faster, and control them promptly even in remote areas, reducing the risk of widespread forest fire spread. This is a crucial element of current forest fire management. Initial investigations found the fire was caused by people entering to collect forest products. The government has instructed all agencies to intensify monitoring and strictly enforce laws while raising awareness among local residents.
"The government prioritizes using technology to enhance fieldwork effectiveness, ensuring more efficient forest fire suppression even in inaccessible areas, minimizing environmental impact, and protecting public health, especially during the PM 2.5 dust crisis. The government urges the public to stop all burning in every case and to participate in vigilance to jointly reduce forest fire and smoke problems sustainably over the long term."