Anutin is concerned about the northern region's situation and plans to lead a team of ministers to Chiang Mai province on 20 April. They will monitor efforts to resolve forest fires, smog, and PM 2.5 dust, holding discussions with relevant agencies to jointly assess and enhance measures.
On 19 April 2026, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that On Monday, 20 April 2026, after chairing the opening of the seminar on policy guidance and the preparation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul will lead a team of related cabinet ministers, cluster ministers, area supervisors, and agencies with relevant missions to Chiang Mai province. The visit aims to follow up and drive solutions for forest fires, smog, and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) that continue to affect northern Thailand.
The traveling ministers include Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri; Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Sudhamphan; Defense Minister General Dul Boonthamcharoen; Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Junrungreangkit; Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichon Chidchob; Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin; Public Health Minister Patthana Prompattana; and Deputy Minister of Interior Jeset Thaiset.
During this mission, the Prime Minister, cluster ministers, area supervisors, and all related agencies will hold a meeting to review efforts to address forest fires, smog, and PM 2.5 in the upper northern provinces alongside the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command (NDPMC). They will provide proactive policies and directives to elevate solutions to tangible results, covering agricultural measures in highland areas, restrictions on importing agricultural products from neighboring countries linked to burning practices, public health measures, and support for forest fire control in northern provinces. They will also closely monitor the situation on-site and encourage the officials involved.
, The government spokesperson emphasized, “The Prime Minister is deeply concerned and worried about the PM 2.5 situation. That is why he is leading ministers from all related areas and clusters to visit simultaneously, so all parties can jointly assess and upgrade preventive and corrective measures against forest fires, smog, and fine particulate matter. These measures cover environmental, agricultural, tourism, and public health aspects to protect citizens’ quality of life, as well as plans to assist and support forest fire control in northern provinces. To date, the government has worked with all sectors, both domestically and through international cooperation, alongside local measures to mitigate immediate impacts and sustainably resolve PM 2.5 pollution.”