Thailand and Laos Unite to Combat Transboundary Haze Using Technology and Knowledge for Sustainable Clean Air

Thailand and Laos Unite to Combat Transboundary Haze Using Technology and Knowledge for Sustainable Clean Air

At 2:00 PM today (April 29, 2025), Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Raweewan Pooridet, Ambassador to Vientiane Kroengkanit Rakcharoen, and senior ministry officials, met with Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane. The visit aimed to discuss and strengthen environmental cooperation between the two nations in concrete ways.

Both sides agreed to advance proactive collaboration to address transboundary haze, a shared regional challenge. The focus will be on deploying modern technology, including the development of data-sharing platforms for hotspots and PM2.5 monitoring via satellite imagery, establishing a "green bank," and strengthening capacity in forest fire prevention and control through training and knowledge transfer from Thailand.

Prime Minister Sonexay emphasized the importance of integrating environmental cooperation between the two countries' agencies to tackle issues with direct impacts on public health and quality of life. Thailand is prepared to provide support in technology, personnel, and equipment to improve problem management efficiency.

Minister Suchart stated that the Thai government, under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's leadership, takes the transboundary haze problem seriously, emphasizing proactive work and cooperation with neighboring countries to achieve clear and sustainable results.

"Haze is not a single country's problem—it's a shared regional challenge. Sustainable solutions require cooperation from all parties," Suchart said.

Both nations also agreed to develop systematic cooperation covering forest fire prevention, hotspot monitoring, development of traceability systems, and knowledge exchange to strengthen long-term collaborative capacity.

Additionally, discussions covered the drafting of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to align with Laos's institutional restructuring and changing environmental circumstances.

This dialogue represents another significant step in Thailand-Laos cooperation, reflecting their strong relationship and shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges, creating clean air, and sustainably improving quality of life in the region.