In response to the escalating PM 2.5 dust crisis in four districts, the Eastern Force has joined hands with ISOC Sa Kaeo, Sa Kaeo Provincial Government Department, Banteay Meanchey Province, and Battambang Province. This collaborative effort aims to expedite the resolution of the PM 2.5 dust issue while closely monitoring the situation and launching an awareness campaign to deter activities contributing to smog.
On March 6, 2024, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin issued a directive during a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing the urgent need to address the PM 2.5 dust problem. The directive called for coordinated efforts among relevant agencies, particularly provincial governors, to proactively tackle the situation. The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army Center subsequently instructed the Border Protection Committee to collaborate with neighboring countries to campaign against burning practices that negatively impact health and the environment.
To implement these directives, the Commander of the Center for the Prevention and Mitigation of Region 1 ordered the Burapha Police Division and ISOC in Sa Kaeo Province to integrate with government agencies in the border area. This collaboration involves developing guidelines to resolve the PM 2.5 dust issue alongside agencies in Banteay Meanchey Province and Battambang Province, Cambodia.
On February 16, a meeting chaired by Maj. Gen. Theppitak Nimit and Maj. Gen. Lai Keum Huad brought together government agencies in the border areas of Thailand and Cambodia. The consensus reached during the meeting emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the situation and conducting joint public relations campaigns.
The Burapha Metropolitan Police Commission has taken proactive steps to address urgent problems in the four border districts of Sa Kaeo Province and friendly provinces in Cambodia. Initiatives include installing campaign signs at vital points in the border districts, conducting public relations campaigns, and organizing campaign marches in collaboration with local government agencies and the masses. These efforts, practiced in the past, have yielded positive results, with decreased heat points and PM 2.5 dust values in both Thai and Cambodian border areas.
As the collaborative efforts intensify, the focus remains on fostering awareness, curbing harmful practices, and achieving tangible results in mitigating the PM 2.5 dust crisis in the region.
