Anutin has ordered the creation of an emergency response plan to handle PM 2.5, urging efforts to educate farmers to address burning issues. He stressed addressing the drug problem after submitting two bills to increase penalties and praised governors and agencies for refusing to compromise on drug trafficking processes.
26 Oct 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, chaired a key mission meeting of the Ministry of Interior at the Ratchasi meeting room, Ministry of Interior. During the meeting, he addressed the pollution problem, noting that as the year approaches its end, rainfall in the North, Northeast, and Bangkok is decreasing. This will lead to issues with PM 2.5 dust pollution and agricultural crop burning. He therefore called on provincial governors to strictly enforce the law.
Regarding claims that pollution comes from neighboring countries, he stated it is the government's duty to act on that. However, domestically, provinces should urgently work to raise public understanding, especially among farmers, about how to prepare for burning, the appropriate timing, and the allowable amount per province, since structures vary. He urged full implementation of plans to prevent burning and avoid satellite images showing smoke clusters over northern Thailand. He also instructed the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to coordinate with governors to develop and standardize emergency response plans.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister delivered a policy statement on drugs, emphasizing the importance of intercepting drug trafficking and production at their sources, focusing on prevention at the origin rather than the endpoint. Without addressing the root cause, problems cannot be effectively solved, which degrades community quality of life. Currently, draft amendments to the Narcotics Act and the Narcotics Case Procedure Act have been submitted to increase penalties. Possession will be presumed to indicate both use and distribution, resulting in harsher punishments. Once enacted, these laws will empower officials to more effectively prevent and suppress drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister praised provincial governors and all relevant officials for their dedicated efforts and success in intercepting major drug trafficking, such as in Khao Yoi district, Phetchaburi province. He urged governors to seriously cooperate with police, military, and security forces in their areas and emphasized no tolerance or compromise with any form of drug trafficking.