Bangkok: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior has directed governors in the Northeast, Central, and Northern regions of Thailand to ready themselves for impending summer storms scheduled from April 16-20, 2026, alongside measures to address dust pollution, forest fire prevention, and traveler safety post-Songkran holiday.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Deputy Commander of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, cited a weather forecast from the Meteorological Department indicating that upper Thailand will face summer storms with thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and potential lightning strikes from April 16-20, 2026. The storms are expected to hit the Northeast first, followed by the East, the eastern Central region, and the North, driven by a high-pressure system from China affecting the South China Sea. Concurrently, upper Thailand will experience hot weather, and air pollution levels in the North, Northeast, and upper Central regions are surpassing standards due to high hotspot density.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of governors in the concerned regions, acting as directors of the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, to monitor weather conditions closely and update the public regularly. He also instructed officials to inspect infrastructure, including buildings, signs, and power poles, for safety and to enhance their stability if needed. Disaster relief resources and personnel must be ready to provide swift assistance, particularly the "Emergency Response Team (ERT)" which is prepared to act according to practiced emergency plans. Agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives are advised to alert farmers to protect agricultural assets.
The Permanent Secretary also addressed ongoing challenges with wildfires and haze in the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions. Provincial governors and relevant agencies are executing measures set by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, such as forest closures, burning prohibitions, offender arrests, and public awareness campaigns. Efforts include ground and aerial firefighting and cloud seeding to mitigate the situation.
As the seven-day Songkran holiday period concludes, marked by increased road safety concerns, many are returning to Bangkok and other provinces. To support this, the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with various sectors, has established service points and checkpoints offering 24-hour assistance. Rapid response teams are ready to assist, promoting safe driving practices. Gas stations have sufficient fuel supplies, and the public can seek help via the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation's hotline, 1784, for immediate response.