Dangerous air pollution: Thailand toughens tone against illegal fires

Thailand has issued a new warning against illegal fires, citing severe prison sentences and fines.

In response to worsening air pollution, authorities have stepped up surveillance and suppression of illegal fires in forests, agricultural lands, and open spaces, and the government has warned of severe penalties.

See: Bangkok Suffocated: Call for Remote Work Amid Dangerous Pollution Peak

Tougher Crackdown on Illegal Fires Responsible for PM2.5

Rice fields in Nakhon Nayok province, after a massive fire that worsened air pollution in Bangkok in January 2026. Photo: Thai PBS World

The authorities have asked all relevant agencies to closely monitor smog and PM2.5 conditions and strictly enforce laws regulating open fires and fires in controlled areas.

The government's deputy spokesperson, Airin Phanrit, stated that the enforcement measures cover several forms of burning that contribute to air pollution and risks to public safety.

Burning of waste and open fires: criminal penalties already in force

The burning of waste or other materials on private property or in public areas that cause a public nuisance can result in up to three months in prison, a fine of up to 25,000 bahts (668 euros), or both, under the Public Health Act.

Local authorities have the power to order the cessation of these activities, and sanctions apply if the order is ignored.

Burning along roads or within 500 meters of a public road, when the smoke or associated conditions endanger road safety, is punishable by a fine of up to 1,000 bahts (26.74 euros) under the Road Traffic Act.

Agricultural burning: up to seven years in prison if dangerous

Sugarcane fire in Thailand.

Fires in agricultural areas, such as sugar cane fields or rice stubble, are punishable under the Penal Code by a sentence of up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of up to 140,000 bahts (3,744 euros), or both.

Forest fires: penalties of up to 20 years in prison

Severe penalties apply to forest fires.

Offenses committed in national parks or nature reserves are punishable by imprisonment of 4 to 20 years and a fine of 400,000 to 2 million baht (10,697 to 53,486 euros).

In protected national forest areas, penalties range from 1 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 baht (534 to 5,347 euros), and can go up to 4 to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of 2 million baht if the burned area exceeds 25 rai (40,000 m2).

The government has called on farmers and the public to cooperate by refraining from burning to help reduce PM2.5 pollution, which poses serious short-term and long-term health risks and affects the economy and society.

Reporting illegal fires: authorities call for public cooperation

Those who witness forest fires, waste burning or open fires are invited to report these incidents via 24-hour hotlines.

Notably, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on 1784, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on 1362, the Damrongtham Center on 1567 and the police on 1599.

Reward for finding those responsible for the arson that asphyxiated Bangkok

Air pollution in Bangkok. Photo: The Nation Thailand

A reward of 10,000 baht is offered by the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of a large-scale arson in Pak Phli district.

The fire ravaged around 1,520 hectares of already harvested rice fields, causing a massive cloud of smoke that darkened the sky above Nakhon Nayok and Bangkok, severely degrading air quality and exacerbating PM2.5 pollution.

In response to the situation, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt dispatched rescue teams, including high-pressure fire trucks, tankers, and specialized personnel to support firefighting operations.

Local authorities reported that the fires had been brought under control, while maintaining a presence on the ground to prevent any new outbreaks.

Source: NBT World, Thai PBS World