CHIANG RAI, THAILAND – Authorities from Thailand and Laos launched a joint firebreak project along their shared border to curb cross-border smoke and rising PM2.5 levels.
Joint launch in the border region
The governor of Chiang Rai, Chuchip Pongchai, led the event, which was also attended by the governors of the Lao provinces Bokeo and Xayabouly. Representatives from both sides reiterated their commitment to closer coordination to limit border smoke and reduce its impact on air quality and public health.
Firebreaks and local participation
The programme included the joint construction of firebreaks by authorities and local communities on both sides of the border. In addition, representatives from the provinces of Chiang Rai, Bokeo and Xayabouly held a separate meeting that confirmed continued cooperation against smoke pollution, which had affected environmental conditions and quality of life in the region.
Prevention and knowledge transfer
The Protected Area Regional Office 15 stated it was ready to provide personnel and resources to strengthen fire protection along the border. Planned measures included information campaigns to reduce agricultural burning and the exchange of knowledge on sustainable land management.
Green buffer against future fires
As part of the cooperation, a joint reforestation effort was also planned to create a cross-border “green protective belt” against future fires. Officials viewed the combination of firebreaks, prevention work and forest protection as a long-term approach to sustainably reducing cross-border smoke.
Is this enough to stop the smog crisis?
Year after year, northern Thailand and Laos suffered from dense smoke and hazardous fine dust levels. Now both countries were relying on joint prevention efforts along the border.
“Is this the breakthrough in the fight against PM2.5? Or do slash-and-burn practices remain the core problem? How do you assess the cross-border cooperation?”
said Pattaya Mail, posing questions to its readers.