BANGKOK (Bernama): The Thai government has tightened controls on agricultural burning as part of broader efforts to tackle PM2.5 pollution, setting a nationwide target to reduce burned farmland by at least 15 per cent.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Airin Phanrit said the measures prioritise major economic crops, for which reductions must be clearly demonstrated.
She noted that hotspot data from the 2025-2026 haze season showed persistently high levels of burning, largely linked to agricultural activities.
"In response, national action plans on particulate pollution and forest fire control have been approved, providing a framework for stronger oversight and coordinated enforcement in 2026 and the years ahead,” she said in a statement published on the Public Relations Department website on Friday.
Airin said the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will oversee the monitoring of burning in rice paddies, animal feed corn, and sugarcane plantations using real-time satellite data.
"Farmers face penalties for burning crop residues, including the loss of access to government assistance and the possible suspension or revocation of land-use rights,” she said.
She added that burning deemed unavoidable will be regulated through a registration system requiring prior approval via a government platform.
Authorities are also encouraging farmers to redirect crop residues to alternative uses, such as biomass energy or industrial processing, to reduce open burning in agricultural areas, she said.
"Additional measures include restrictions on imports of agricultural products linked to burning, supported by traceability requirements, and the allocation of more than 250 million baht to promote farming practices that eliminate burning,” Airin said.
Earlier on Friday, Thai local media reported that the Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation had warned of rising PM2.5 levels, urging families to use public transport and closely monitor air quality.
Health authorities have also issued an urgent advisory for parents to exercise caution this weekend at National Children’s Day celebrations, as PM2.5 levels are forecast to rise significantly. -- Bernama
