Bangkok: The Ministry of Interior has officially declared three provinces in northern Thailand as disaster zones due to ongoing wildfires, haze, and elevated levels of PM2.5 pollution.
According to Thai News Agency, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, announced that governors in northern Thailand have designated disaster relief zones covering 17 districts across Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Phayao provinces. This declaration comes as part of efforts to manage the forest fire, haze, and particulate matter (PM 2.5) situations affecting 17 northern provinces. Provincial governors, acting as directors of provincial disaster prevention and mitigation, are employing legal mechanisms under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act to implement measures collaboratively with relevant stakeholders. The aim is to resolve the situation promptly and restore normalcy for citizens, as directed by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, along with the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Commander.
The Ministry of Interior, through the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has coordinated the declaration of disaster relief zones in response to emergency situations related to forest fires, haze, and PM2.5 pollution. In Chiang Mai Province, seven districts have been designated as disaster relief zones, affecting 40 sub-districts, 338 villages, and 27 communities. In Lamphun Province, Li District has been declared a disaster relief zone, impacting eight sub-districts and 99 villages due to PM2.5 pollution. Phayao Province has declared a public disaster zone for nine districts, including Mueang Phayao, Chun, and Chiang Kham, due to forest fires and PM2.5 pollution.
The declaration of emergency disaster relief zones allows provincial governors to access and manage emergency disaster relief funds as per the Ministry of Finance's regulations on emergency disaster relief funds of 2026. This provision enables the management of the situation to mitigate damage to life and property effectively. Provincial governors are tasked with integrating resources from all sectors to provide timely assistance and relief, ensuring efficient problem-solving at the local level. The Ministry of Interior continues to oversee the management of wildfires, haze, and particulate matter, supporting provincial governors in their efforts to resolve the situation swiftly, enabling citizens to return to normal life.