At the first meeting of the special committee on wildfire and PM2.5 dust issues, Bhumjaithai and Prachachon parties fiercely competed for the chairmanship. Ultimately, a secret ballot elected Pimpatra, MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat of Bhumjaithai, as chair.
At 9:00 a.m. on 22 April 2026 at the Parliament, the special committee to study and manage wildfire problems and monitor the PM2.5 dust crisis held its first meeting to select the committee chair and key positions. Mr. Suchart Thadathamrongvej, a party-list MP from the Pheu Thai Party, served as interim chair.
Mr. Sombat Yasin, MP for Mae Hong Son from Bhumjaithai Party, nominated Ms. Pimpatra Wichaikun, MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat of Bhumjaithai, as committee chair. Meanwhile, Mr. Phattharaphong Leelaphat, MP for Chiang Mai from Prachachon Party, nominated himself and requested nominees to present their visions, leading to debates between government and opposition MPs.
Mr. Sombat stated that the committee chair should be from the government side, as coordinating with government agencies would be easier and more effective. Dr. Ekaphop Phianpiset, a former party-list candidate for Bhumjaithai, said that arguing whether the chair should be opposition or government was unnecessary since the committee was not established to oversee government work.
Then the nominees began presenting their visions. Ms. Pimpatra spoke first, stating that the committee should not be divided from the start into opposition or government sides, as their work aims to serve the public by solving PM2.5 dust problems and coordinating with multiple ministries under time constraints. She emphasized the need to work with local MPs and conduct field visits to monitor implementation.
Mr. Phattharaphong expressed agreement that the committee should not be divided into opposition or government, but must work collaboratively. He stressed the importance of reviewing previous wildfire committee reports and related documents to identify past mistakes and funding deficiencies in the 2026 budget. For example, pollution control plans in the northern region were not implemented despite audits by the Office of the Auditor General. He highlighted the need for public involvement and cooperation with government agencies to address wildfire and PM2.5 issues promptly before submitting proposals to Parliament by 11 July, coinciding with the 2027 budget review.
The meeting proceeded to a secret ballot to select the committee chair and key positions. Ms. Pimpatra was elected chair, Mr. Sombat became first deputy chair, Mr. Phattharaphong second deputy chair, and Ms. Phitcharat Laopongchana, a party-list MP from Bhumjaithai, was appointed committee secretary.