Cabinet Meeting Reveals "Prime Minister Anutin" Ready to Solve PM 2.5 Problem

Today (April 21, 2026) at 1:30 PM at the Naresuan Building, Government House, Ms. Rachada Dhnadirek, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also the Minister of Interior, expressed grave concern over transboundary PM 2.5 pollution, which accounts for 30–40% of the total volume. The government aims to utilize both ASEAN cooperation and domestic measures, specifically targeting the import of animal feed corn to ensure it is free from burning practices.

The Cabinet acknowledged a report from the Ministry of Commerce regarding the prohibition of agricultural imports—both raw materials and processed goods—from sources that engage in crop burning or the disposal of agricultural waste through fire. Since the measure was implemented on January 1, 2026, corn imports have reportedly decreased by 70%.

Ms. Rachada further explained that these stricter controls require importers to possess certification and comply with the 2025 Import Regulations, including reporting to the Department of Foreign Trade within 30 days of import. As of April 19, 2026, 82 importers have registered under the burn-free program, with 25 active importers recorded during February and March 2026.