Bangkok: The Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP) has conducted an inspection of the Chalong Ratch Expressway project, managed by the Expressway Authority of Thailand, as part of efforts to improve environmental management through the introduction of the 'EIA Monitoring Awards'.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, together with Dr. Raveewan Phuridej, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, emphasized the significance of improving environmental management through the "EIA Monitoring Awards 2026". This initiative aims to ensure rigorous and comprehensive monitoring as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports. Mr. Bannarak Sermthong, Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONREP), and the monitoring group responsible for overseeing government project sites, visited the Chalong Ratch Expressway project. They were welcomed by Mr. Thitsan Phrutthipong, Director of the Expressway Project Development Division and Acting Deputy Governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand.
The inspection's purpose is to motivate compliance with the EIA report measures and encourage establishments to develop effective environmental management mechanisms. For fiscal year 2026, ONREP has targeted various establishments, opening applications for projects categorized into four sectors: government agency projects, mining, petroleum development, and energy. A total of ninety projects met the initial eligibility criteria, with on-site inspections commencing in January 2026 and expected to conclude by May 2026.
Mr. Bannarak Sermthong stated that the awards ceremony, recognizing establishments that adhere to the 2026 EIA report measures, will present three levels of recognition: Outstanding, Excellent, and Commendation. Scheduled between August and September 2026, the ceremony is expected to have Mr. Suchart Chomklin preside over the event. All relevant sectors are encouraged to observe which establishments demonstrate exceptional compliance with EIA measures to qualify for these awards.