Key 'PM2.5 Policies' fromThailand's four major political parties

Thailand continues to face an air pollution issue caused by small particulate matter, or PM2.5. This ongoing issue has become a serious concern year after year. Levels of PM2.5 vary by region, but they routinely exceed acceptable levels in major cities and industrial areas. Furthermore, the impact of PM2.5 goes beyond public health and well-being and impacts the economy and tourism.

Dr. Montien Kanasawasdi, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said that Thailand regularly suffers high levels of PM2.5 in January, surpassing the standard levels in several places. This has an impact on public health and is a serious issue that must be monitored on a regular basis. The Department of Disease Control has allocated 12 Regional Offices of Disease Prevention and Control (RDPC) across the country to actively monitor and track the situation with fine particulate matter, as well as perform on-site risk communication. Educating and advising the public on how to protect themselves against PM2.5, working with local networks to monitor health effects and regularly apply relevant solutions.

In addition, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) released cell broadcast notifications concerning PM2.5 levels, informing the public that PM2.5 dust levels are above the standard. On January 14, 2026, around 7:00 AM, air quality assessments revealed three areas with PM2.5 levels that need to be closely monitored:

- Pathumwan District: 84.6 µg/m³

- Sathorn District: 79.3 µg/m³•

- Chatuchak District (75.5 µg/m³)

If the dust situation does not improve in the next 1-2 days, the public should use masks, avoid needless outdoor activities, and seek medical attention if they have any odd symptoms.

The main causes of PM2.5 dust in Thailand are complicated, such as agricultural burning in the north. Open burning and transboundary dust are causes of air pollution. Dust pollution in the urban area is mostly produced by industrial emissions, urbanization, and congested transportation systems in major cities such as Bangkok, as well as diesel cars, which contribute significantly to air pollution.

Key PM2.5 Policies from Thailand’s Four Major Political Parties

Photo: Pheu Thai Party

Pheu Thai Party

Pushing for a Clean Air Act to protect fundamental human rights, encouraging collaboration among all parties, and developing a strong response strategy. The emphasis will be on international discussions to resolve the problem at its source, with a three-phase approach:

Short-term: Government agencies will issue alerts in advance about dust levels, allowing citizens to plan accordingly. In the event of significant dust levels, vulnerable groups will be relocated to safe regions, similar to disaster response procedures. Masks will be supplied to vulnerable people, and schools will be closed to decrease the danger.

Medium-term: Working with the Royal Irrigation Department to release water into rice paddies following harvest to turn rice stubble into fertilizer. Sugar factories will be encouraged to invest in cutting and plowing sugarcane rather than burning it. At the same time, tree planting will be carried out to capture dust, and individuals will be encouraged to switch to clean-burning ways. Tax advantages for clean energy cars.

Long-term: Enforce the Clean Air Act, which authorizes local governments to control dust pollution. Enforce legislation that targets large-scale industries. Negotiate with neighboring countries to manage dust pollution both domestically and internationally. Create new agricultural instruments for harvesting and burying garbage without burning to control dust at its source.

Photo:Bhumjaithai Party

Bhumjaithai Party

Electric buses will contribute to lower PM2.5 emissions

Fares start at 10 baht and go up to 40 baht per trip, route, and day.

Changing public transportation vehicles from environmentally unfriendly energy sources to environmentally friendly electric vehicles (EVs) fosters national innovation for society and the environment, lowering PM2.5 pollution as well as improving citizens' quality of life.

The goal is to replace all public transportation vehicles, both old and non-air-conditioned, with electric buses within three years, increasing citizens' quality of life and making services more accessible, particularly to the impoverished. This will meet the Ministry of Transportation's aims.

Photo:People's Party

The People Party

Clean air is a basic right. A people's government is prepared to push for it. And act promptly, rather than waiting for the Clean Air Act to be enforced. Adhere to the "Polluter Pays" philosophy, which restores clean and sustainable air for all Thais.

1. The Air Pollution Command Center (CACC)

Change from the "each ministry working independently" structure to a single command, with the Prime Minister as the ultimate commander. Using a single database to centralize information from all agencies and make it readily available to the public for preventive action, crisis mitigation, and transparent evaluation.

Accurate "Burn Scar" Technology, Not Just Hot Spots

 The People's Party will shift key performance indicators (KPIs) from the current emphasis on hotspots, which do not accurately indicate genuine

 To assess actual burn areas (Burn Scars) via Thai and international satellites like THEOS-2 and Sentinel. This includes categorizing risk areas based on dust sources, using Thermal UAVs to detect hourly burning in areas with recurring burning.

 Hyperspectral UAVs to detect precursors of toxic dust from other pollutants (NOx, SOx) in densely populated urban areas with heavy traffic and industry, in order to address all sources of air pollution effectively.

 Empower local authorities to check pollution sources.

Use all resources fairly and sustainably.

 To encourage farmers to use non-burning agricultural products, develop a traceability system throughout the supply chain, assist waste management machinery, and issue labels for them.

 To decrease sugarcane burning at the end of each sugarcane season in April, steps for the following year must be considered promptly based on the results of the current year's measures. This will allow the government to declare various support strategies to help farmers adapt, as well as clear funding allocations and management procedures ahead of time.

 Distribute forestry funding to local communities based on actual risk (Risk-based Budgeting), and give wildfire fighting teams with life insurance.

 Declare low-emission zones for cities and manufacturers and use the PRTR law to ensure that factories disclose their emissions transparently.

 To reduce transportation-related air pollution, promote electric buses in all provinces.

Pollution that crosses international borders.

 Improve CACC to an ASEAN information center, set obligatory criteria for non-burning agricultural goods, and develop supply chain verification rules.

 Manage transboundary burning goods seriously, with traceability procedures in place to eliminate the problem of purchasing from imported companies that later claim to have acquired native grain.

Photo: Democrat Party, Thailand

The Democrat Party

Advocates for proactive strategies to minimize PM2.5 pollution, including real-data analysis, targeted initiatives, and cross-border responsibility.

 Install Super Sensors nationwide: Create an air monitoring system capable of immediately detecting carcinogens in PM2.5, giving the government detailed data for effective pollution management efforts.

 Use data-driven prevention: Integrate Super Sensor data with public health, environmental, and pollution control methods to reduce long-term health hazards to the population.

 Break the loop of burning pollution by prohibiting the purchase of agricultural products from neighboring nations that are the consequence of burning agricultural land, hence diminishing the incentive to burn and preventing transboundary pollution.

 Establish trade standards for clean air: Use trade policies to put pressure on agricultural production to be pollution-free, conveying a clear message that public air quality cannot be compromised.

Copywriter: Siam Associated Press (SAP) Editorial Department

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Source of material: official media /online news