The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment visited Chiang Mai to monitor the critical haze situation, emphasizing that people and forests must coexist in balance, and delivered supplies to forest watch volunteers.
On 18 April 2026, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, accompanied by executives, traveled to Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province, to receive a briefing on the forest fire situation and operational challenges. He also visited to encourage officials and community network volunteers who are rigorously monitoring forest fires.
Mr. Suchart stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources places the highest priority on addressing forest fires and haze. The ministry will accelerate the implementation of the “Community-Level Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Action Plan” under the “Chiang Dao Model.” This model aims to serve as a prototype integrating cooperation from all sectors, especially local people who will play a vital role as the eyes and ears to detect and prevent fires before they escalate, making solutions more effective than relying solely on central response.
During the visit, Mr. Suchart met with community leaders and volunteer networks, emphasizing that strong communities are the best shield for natural resources. He also presented dry food and essential supplies to support the hardworking forest fire suppression teams and praised everyone’s sacrifice in protecting the Doi Luang Chiang Dao forest.
Mr. Suchart concluded by saying the key goal is to restore Doi Luang Chiang Dao to its original beauty and integrity, preserving it as an important natural tourist destination in Chiang Mai. He pledged to accelerate the implementation of concrete and continuous measures to establish a new standard for sustainable and balanced coexistence between communities and the forest.