National —
At 4:43 PM on January 15th, 2025, Jirayu Huangsub, the spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced the government’s response to the early arrival of PM2.5 pollution this year.
The Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra urged the Ministry of Agriculture to implement immediate measures, citing increased burning by farmers due to unusually cold weather.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Ministry of Industry were instructed to take swift action. Suggestions include penalties, such as reducing financial support for farmers found responsible.
Local officials, including governors, district officers, and village heads, will monitor burning activities next week, aiming for short-term reductions in pollution.
For long-term solutions, discussions are underway with neighboring countries to coordinate efforts against transboundary haze.
Jirayu noted that while Bangkok’s governor mentioned potential work-from-home measures, no official policies have been set. Northern winds are expected to affect Bangkok and surrounding areas later this month.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.