Thailand to Forge Alliance with Cambodia to Confront Transboundary Haze Menace

• Sommana Yan
• 17 January 2024
• Local News
• 1634 Views

In a groundbreaking move, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced an unprecedented collaboration with Cambodia to combat the persistent issue of transboundary haze pollution. The joint initiative revealed ahead of a pivotal meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on 7 February, signals a united front against the detrimental impacts of cross-border haze pollution, according to Thaiger News on 13 January 2024.

“The severity of PM2.5 transboundary pollution in areas like Sa Kaeo province necessitates a coordinated effort with our neighbouring nations. Together with Cambodia, we aim to address the root causes and implement effective management strategies,” said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

The proposed joint task force, arising from this collaboration, will undertake a comprehensive study tour of Sa Kaeo province, a region profoundly affected by transboundary pollution caused primarily by wildfires. Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) will contribute crucial satellite images to facilitate the task force’s responsive planning, pinpointing wildfire hotspots and aiding swift intervention.

Prime Minister Srettha underlined the Thai government’s commitment to its citizens’ right to clean air, a stance reinforced by the introduction of the Clean Air Bill to Parliament. The bill, treated as an urgent matter, is set to undergo its first reading in the House of Representatives next week after extensive discussions on Thursday led to a rescheduled vote.

Deputy Prime Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan on the Bill’s Objective, said, as reported by the Bangkok Post: “The Clean Air Bill is designed to empower national and local organizations with robust administrative tools to curb the release of hazardous PM2.5 particles and pollutants into the air. It aligns with our broader efforts to combat haze pollution through international collaboration, agricultural reforms, and integrated approaches across relevant state agencies.”

• Energy and Environment