Kanchanaburi: The government is accelerating proactive efforts to combat wildfires, emphasizing that the safety of its personnel is paramount. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has established a War Room and deployed personnel to Kanchanaburi, ensuring the safety of personnel and closely monitoring injured individuals.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that the government is intensifying efforts to address the wildfire problem in all areas. The Ministry has upgraded its wildfire management efforts, focusing on controlling the situation and ensuring the well-being of personnel involved.
On April 13, 2026, a team visited the Wildfire Command and Monitoring Center (War Room) in the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi Province, to closely monitor the situation. Field units were instructed to expedite fire control at strategic locations, prevent fire spread to pristine forest areas, and request aerial support for operations in hard-to-reach areas.
The Ministry has emphasized to all agencies the principle of “safety first,” instructing them to check the physical readiness of personnel, equipment, and vehicles before each operation. It also stressed the importance of personnel rotation in high-risk areas to reduce fatigue from continuous work and required reporting of ongoing officer injuries for timely assistance.
In terms of prevention, instructions have been given to enhance surveillance in key protected forest areas nationwide, especially in high-risk areas prone to fires spreading into dry evergreen forests and areas bordering wildlife habitats. This includes collaborating with local agencies and provincial governors to systematically prevent and resolve the problem, as well as strictly enforcing measures against illegal forest burning.
Meanwhile, the Ministry expressed concern over injuries sustained by two forest firefighters in Phu Pha Teep National Park, Mukdahan Province, on April 13, 2026. The officers were injured while controlling a fire in extremely hot weather, suffering from exhaustion and fatigue-related injuries before being hospitalized and placed under close medical supervision.
Authorities have been instructed to closely monitor the welfare of officers in all areas and continuously track the condition of the injured. ‘The government prioritizes addressing the wildfire problem seriously, along with taking care of the personnel on duty, who are crucial in protecting the country’s natural resources. We emphasize that the safety of our personnel must come first in all missions,’ Ms. Lalida said.
Relevant agencies will maintain the highest level of vigilance in high-risk areas throughout April to effectively control wildfires and minimize their impact on the public and the environment.