Bangkok: The government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal burning activities in forests, agricultural lands, and open spaces by imposing severe penalties, including up to 20 years of imprisonment and fines reaching 2 million baht. The crackdown aims to address the pressing issues of smog and dust pollution affecting the nation.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Airin Phanrit, announced that the government has directed all relevant agencies to vigilantly monitor pollution levels and strictly implement legal measures against unauthorized burning. Farmers are specifically reminded that engaging in illegal burning activities could result in significant fines, imprisonment, or both.
Burning activities that create nuisances, such as garbage burning in public spaces, may be halted by local authorities. Non-compliance with such orders is considered an offense under the Public Health Act B.E. 2535 (1992), carrying penalties of up to three months in prison or a fine of up to 25,000 baht. Additionally, burning near roadways that jeopardizes traffic safety is punishable under the Road Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) with fines not exceeding 1,000 baht.
In agricultural areas, burning practices such as those involving sugarcane fields or rice stubble, which pose risks to others and their property, fall under Section 220 of the Criminal Code. Offenders may face imprisonment of up to seven years or fines up to 140,000 baht. Burning in protected areas, such as national parks or wildlife sanctuaries, incurs heavier penalties, with imprisonment ranging from four to twenty years and fines between 400,000 and 2,000,000 baht.
The government has also outlined penalties for burning in national forest reserves, with imprisonment ranging from one to ten years and fines between 20,000 and 200,000 baht. In cases involving more than 25 rai of forest land, penalties increase to four to twenty years of imprisonment and fines from 200,000 to 2,000,000 baht.
Ms. Airin urged public cooperation in refraining from burning activities to mitigate PM2.5 dust pollution, which poses significant threats to economic, societal, and health systems. She encouraged citizens to report any instances of illegal burning to the relevant authorities through dedicated hotlines to help curb the pollution crisis.