Anutin vows an absolute ban on entering reserved forest areas to forage, aiming to prevent fires, and supports advancing the Clean Air Act.
At 3:40 p.m. on 20 Apr 2026 GMT+7, at the Yodthap Building, 7th Infantry Division, Mae Rim district, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, spoke about the results of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command (NDPMC) meeting. He assigned tasks to each agency, emphasizing that all provincial governors must act as single commanders, leading integrated cooperation among all agencies. The Cabinet, by the Prime Minister’s order, will establish a committee to prevent disasters in the northern region, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, with the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation as secretary. When asked if the situation will be manageable by the end of the month, Anutin said that they have been enforcing the law fully, prosecuting about 1,200 cases of illegal forest burning and encroachment. Most cases reach court without suspended sentences. Currently, entering reserved forest and national park areas in the north to forage is strictly prohibited to prevent fires, with possible official announcements enforcing the ban. The government will rigorously enforce the law and will not purchase agricultural products from neighboring countries if they are produced by burning.
Supports advancing the Clean Air Act.
When asked if the government had consulted business investors about the decision not to purchase goods from neighboring countries, Anutin retorted, "Why is consultation necessary? We have laws and technology to identify areas originating from forest fires. The Ministry of Commerce, responsible for approving imports into Thailand, will not approve such products. There is no need to discuss this with anyone. Regarding demands for the Clean Air Act, this legislation continues from the previous parliament, is beneficial, and has support from all political parties. It is now in the stage of submission to the Senate, with coalition parties ready to support its passage through the process." When asked if the Prime Minister himself supports it, Anutin responded, "How could I not agree?"