PCD held the Meeting with the neighboring countries in the Mekong Subregion
to prepare for prevention and solution of transboundary haze problem in the year 2021
On 9th December 2020, Mr. Athapol Charoenshunsa, Director General of Pollution Control Department (PCD) discussed with Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao PDR through VDO Conference to prepare for prevention and solution of transboundary haze problem in which may occur in the Mekong Subregion.
Mr. Athapol revealed that Thai Government has realized the transboundary haze problem which occurs annually. The Ministry of Natural resources and Environment (MNRE) represented by PCD, discussed with the member states (Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao PDR) to prepare for prevention and solution of transboundary haze problem which may occur in the Mekong Subregion from January to April 2021. The member states presented the situation and preventive action to solve the problem of forest fires and haze in the previous year, as well as measures to deal with and control the solution. Myanmar expressed gratitude to Thailand for making collaborative plan with Myanmar in installing the air quality measurement equipment and enhancing knowledge of air quality management, as well as relevant measure to be collaboratively implemented in the future. In addition, the neighboring countries praised Thailand to bring technology to manage air quality such as forecasting air quality 3 days in advance, using satellite technology for monitoring air quality, and development an application for forest fires detecting system. The neighboring countries also proposed Thailand to be the leader in training to provide knowledge to the Mekong Subregion member states.
Mr. Athapol said that PCD has invited the neighbor countries to formulate a plan on fuel reduction and utilization instead of burning in order to prepare before forest fire and haze period in the Mekong Subregion. In this case, Thailand aims to reduce the number of hotspots in 2021 by at least 20 percent from the previous year. Furthermore, he emphasized in the meeting that the strong collaboration from Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao PDR has been required for effective prevention and solution of the transboundary haze problem in this region. All countries expressed their cooperation in closely monitoring the situation and taking immediate action to solve the problem both at national and regional level that will lead to the sustainable prevention and solution in the future.
