The Prime Minister has ordered preparations to address PM2.5 pollution, emphasized strict inspections on illegal imports of toxic waste, and accelerated efforts to drive Thailand's entry into the OECD.
At 13:30 on 20 October 2026, at the Government News Center, Naree Samosorn Building, Government House, Ekaphop Pianpiset, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced the Prime Minister's directives focusing on three key issues: preparing for the visit of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) chairman, measures to handle PM2.5 fine dust pollution, and management of illegal imports of hazardous waste from abroad.
Ekaphop said the Prime Minister instructed relevant agencies to prepare for the OECD chairman's visit scheduled for 23 November 2026, including the OECD working group arriving earlier to assess Thailand’s readiness for OECD membership. The Prime Minister and Cabinet place great importance on this matter.
Regarding the PM2.5 fine dust situation, the Prime Minister ordered agencies to prepare measures to address potential future incidents. Currently, dust pollution is observed in neighboring countries. He assigned the Deputy Prime Minister and ministers overseeing various regions to prepare readiness and area-specific measures, urging provincial governors to cooperate and tackle the problem seriously and continuously.
Simultaneously, the Prime Minister stressed managing the hazardous waste issue, especially electronic waste from abroad, which is prohibited from import but still smuggled in with factories processing such waste. He tasked the Cabinet and related ministers to expedite resolving this problem.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed the Customs Department to strictly inspect ships and cargo containers suspected of smuggling such waste to prevent hazardous foreign waste from harming the environment and citizens. He assigned Supachai Sutthampan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, as chair of the National Industry Committee, to discuss and set guidelines for managing the illegal waste industry in Thailand, with ministers and relevant agencies coordinating closely in integrated operations.