Bangkok: Thailand's hotspots are starting to decrease, but wildfires remain a concern.

According to Thai News Agency, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has released the latest satellite data, showing a continuous downward trend in hotspots across Thailand. The Suomi NPP satellite using the VIIRS system reported 1,971 hotspots on April 1, 2026, a reduction from 2,326 hotspots noted the previous day.

The data categorized by area type reveals that the highest number of incidents occurred in protected forest areas with 896 points, followed by national forest reserves with 622 points. Agricultural areas recorded 267 hotspots, land reform areas 99, community and other areas 80, and areas along highways noted 7 hotspots. Despite the downtrend, forested areas remain a significant concern due to the high number of hotspots.

Meanwhile, neighboring countries continue to report numerous hotspots, exacerbating the risk of transboundary haze. Myanmar leads with 4,223 hotspots, followed by Laos with 3,348, Vietnam with 616, Cambodia with 521, and Malaysia with 61. This situation contributes significantly to transboundary haze issues in the region, necessitating ongoing vigilance.

Although Thailand's hotspot numbers are decreasing, close monitoring is essential, particularly in the northern region, which remains affected by wildfires and elevated levels of PM2.5 air pollution. The public can access additional real-time information on hotspots through the GISTDA website to aid in effective monitoring and response efforts.