CHIANG MAI — 19 May 2026, Thai and Myanmar officials agreed to strengthen cooperation on tackling transboundary haze pollution by integrating monitoring platforms and sharing air pollution big data under a long-term regional strategy, Thai authorities said.
The meeting, held in Chiang Mai under the “Clear Sky Strategy 2024–2030”, brought together Surin Worakitthamrong, director-general of Thailand’s Pollution Control Department, and Dr. San Oo, director-general of Myanmar’s Environmental Conservation Department, along with representatives from other agencies to discuss joint responses to the annual cross-border haze crisis affecting the Mekong region.
Surin said Myanmar had reduced wildfire hotspots by 12% in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to the latest Myanmar government data.
He said the reduction reflected Myanmar’s enforcement of environmental protection laws and public awareness campaigns in high-risk areas, although major challenges remained, particularly limited air-quality monitoring infrastructure and incomplete environmental databases.
Thai officials said Thailand would provide technical support to Myanmar to strengthen long-term trilateral cooperation in addressing haze pollution, including:
• developing online platforms and websites for reporting transboundary haze conditions and air quality in Myanmar.
• providing technical assistance on air-quality standards, Air Quality Index systems and Myanmar’s national air-quality management planning.
• sharing expertise in developing fire-risk maps using hotspot-monitoring technology to improve wildfire response capabilities.
Surin said sharing technology and knowledge would help connect regional air-pollution big data systems and improve the accuracy and effectiveness of cross-border haze management across the Mekong region.