Thailand-Laos Sign MOU to Tackle Cross-Border Haze
Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin welcomed Laos Agriculture Minister Linkham Douangsavanh to sign an environmental MOU in Bangkok.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Thailand and Laos signed an environmental MOU at the Ministry of Natural Resources.
- The agreement focuses on tackling cross-border haze, wildfires, and PM2.5 pollution.
- Plans include knowledge-sharing on wildfire response and a tour of Chiang Mai War Room.
On September 8, 2026, Suchart Chomklin, Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, officially welcomed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, along with his delegation. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for bilateral talks and the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding on natural resources and environmental cooperation.
This visit marks the first official trip to Thailand by the Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry following the restructuring of Laos' environmental agencies. Suchart stated that he was assigned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to welcome and discuss joint mechanisms between the two neighbouring nations.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The core discussion centered on upgrading cooperation to resolve wildfire issues, cross-border haze, and PM2.5 particulate matter concretely. The framework emphasizes collaborative efforts ranging from prevention and monitoring to addressing root causes.
Cross-border haze and PM2.5 pollution in Southeast Asia are structural challenges requiring coordinated bilateral and regional mechanisms due to shared meteorological patterns and agricultural burning practices. Formalizing an MOU between Thailand and Laos marks a critical step toward standardizing wildfire data sharing and joint management strategies.
Following the signing ceremony, the Thai side outlined additional support measures, including dispatching expert teams to share wildfire management knowledge and organizing a site visit for the Lao delegation to inspect the War Room operations in Chiang Mai province.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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