Bangkok: The government is proactively addressing transboundary PM2.5 pollution, forming a war room with neighboring countries to monitor the situation closely.
According to Thai News Agency, the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, is continuously addressing the problem of PM2.5 dust pollution and transboundary pollution. This follows the Prime Minister's directive for all agencies to expedite integrated cooperation both domestically and with neighboring countries to resolve the issue systematically and sustainably.
Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that, given the PM2.5 dust situation in the upper northern region, satellite imagery indicates that a number of hotspots are caused by burning both in Thailand and neighboring countries. Therefore, the Pollution Control Department (PCD), in collaboration with the Department of Border Affairs, the Department of International Cooperation, and other relevant agencies, has established a "Forest Fire Smoke Monitoring Laboratory" or War Room in neighboring countries to enhance the monitoring, analysis, and management of transboundary haze problems more closely.
In 2024, War Rooms were established in Bokeo and Xayaburi provinces in Laos, and in Tachilek province in Myanmar. In 2025, cooperation was expanded to Luang Namtha province in Laos, Kengtung province, and Naypyidaw. Most recently, from May 6-10, 2026, a War Room was established in Taunggyi province, Myanmar.
This operation involved Thai officials led by Lieutenant General Chumpot Nurakket, Director of the Border Affairs Department of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, along with representatives from the 3rd Army Area, the Naresuan Task Force, the Pollution Control Department, the East Asia Department, and other relevant agencies. On the Myanmar side, representatives at the ministerial level on environment, the Commander of the Eastern Military Region, the Director-General of the Department of Environmental Resources, and other relevant agencies participated closely.
The government has supported the transfer of knowledge and key technologies for the operation of the War Room, such as analysis of particulate matter sources, satellite data on hotspots, models of air mass movement at various levels, and necessary meteorological data. This is to enable more accurate monitoring and spatial management planning. In addition, there has been an exchange of experiences and approaches to solving particulate matter problems between Thailand and Myanmar to strengthen cooperation in preventing and reducing transboundary forest fire haze sustainably in the long term.