Suchart Touts Pollution Control Department's 34th Anniversary, Pushes Organizational Upgrade and Legal Reforms to Strengthen Pollution Management
Thailand's Pollution Control Department marked its 34th anniversary as Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin called for urgent organizational upgrades and legal reforms to strengthen pollution enforcement and tackle growing environmental ch
On April 27, 2025, Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over the Pollution Control Department's (PCD) 34th anniversary celebration and presented the 'Environmental Protector' award to individuals with outstanding environmental conservation records.
He emphasized the PCD's crucial role as Thailand's leading agency responsible for preventing, controlling, and addressing pollution issues to safeguard environmental quality and public welfare. Suchart stressed that the PCD must urgently undertake serious organizational upgrading in both structure and operational authority, particularly by pushing for legislative reforms to strengthen environmental law enforcement. This would enable faster and more efficient inspection, control, and management of pollution sources, aligning with the government's agenda under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to improve environmental quality, systematically reduce pollution, and ensure natural resource security while pursuing sustainable economic development.
Suchart noted that the government prioritizes keeping environmental work current with evolving challenges, including air and water quality, waste, hazardous substances, and transboundary pollution—all growing in severity and complexity. The PCD therefore needs continuous development across personnel, technology, innovation, and tools to increase accuracy and responsiveness in managing these issues.
Established on April 4, 1992 under the National Environmental Quality Promotion and Maintenance Act, the PCD's key responsibilities include setting environmental standards, proposing policies and measures, monitoring environmental quality, enforcing laws, managing pollution emergencies, and handling public complaints.
Over three decades, the PCD has continuously evolved by integrating technology and innovation, including environmental quality databases, real-time monitoring systems, water and air quality forecasting systems, environmental alert applications, and artificial intelligence applications for public communication and education.
Suchart commended PCD personnel as vital forces in advancing Thailand's environmental work through their expertise and dedication to natural resource protection. He honored recipients of the 'Environmental Protector' award as exemplars of sacrifice and the power of workers creating positive social change.
"The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is ready to support the PCD and all sectors in integrated collaboration under principles of participation and shared responsibility to elevate Thailand's environmental quality and pass on healthy natural resources to future generations," Suchart concluded.
