Bangkok: Dr. Rawiwan Phuridej, newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has pledged to tackle the PM 2.5 dust issue in urban areas and 17 northern provinces, along with addressing overlapping forest areas.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Rawiwan began her tenure by performing a ceremonial homage to Phra Phutthasayamphu, the Ministry's official Buddha image, to mark her first day in office. Her appointment was sanctioned by a Royal Command, effective from December 5, 2025. During the ceremony, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, congratulated her on assuming the position. Senior executives and officials from various agencies of the Ministry also welcomed her warmly.
Dr. Rawiwan expressed that returning to the Ministry felt like coming home, given her 25-year service prior to a five-year assignment at the Office of the National Land Policy Committee. She emphasized her commitment to promoting missions that benefit the nation, focusing on pollution control, resource management, and forest conservation. Her immediate priorities include tackling PM 2.5 dust pollution, conserving forest areas, and ensuring legal housing and livelihoods for citizens. She aims to balance human habitation with forest conservation for sustainable development.
The National Environment Board has been actively implementing measures to control PM 2.5 dust in Bangkok and other affected areas. The Pollution Control Department, in collaboration with local administrations and the private sector, is working on dust reduction strategies. The Ministry is also expediting the management of permanent forest areas, which span approximately 3 million rai. Plans are underway to promote legal residency permits, crucial for economic and export impacts, as timber trade with Europe mandates legal sourcing. Approval from the Cabinet is pending, after which the Royal Forest Department will initiate the process of delineating publicly cultivated and conserved forest areas. Enhanced use of technology, such as satellite imagery, is planned to aid these efforts.