DDPM Launches Nationwide ‘Stop Burning, Stop Dust’ Campaign to Combat PM2.5 Pollution

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of DDPM.

 

Thailand has officially launched a nationwide campaign, “Stop Burning, Stop Dust,” to tackle the ongoing problem of PM2.5 air pollution. The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), aims to enforce strict bans on open burning and raise public awareness about the dangers of air pollution.

 

At 10:00 on 3 February, Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, Deputy Director-General of DDPM, chaired a high-level meeting at the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre in Bangkok, to assess the current wildfire, haze, and PM2.5 situation. Representatives from various government agencies attended to coordinate efforts in enforcing the burning ban across the country.

 

As part of the initiative, officials and volunteers have begun door-to-door visits, urging residents to refrain from burning agricultural waste, weeds, or household rubbish. Public awareness efforts are being intensified through local radio stations, community loudspeakers, and mobile broadcasting units to ensure compliance. Those who violate the ban will face legal action, as authorities take a strict approach to controlling air pollution.

 

“Today, we are launching the ‘Stop Burning, Stop Dust – For You, For Us’ campaign nationwide,” said Deputy Director-General Saharat. “The response from provinces, districts, and local authorities has been overwhelmingly positive. We are encouraging people to take responsibility by avoiding all forms of burning that contribute to air pollution.”

 

According to DDPM data, air quality across Thailand improved slightly on 3 February, compared to the weekend, particularly in Bangkok, where southerly winds have brought increased humidity, reducing dust levels.

 

However, meteorologists warn that the weather conditions will fluctuate in the coming days:

 

• 4–5 February: A cold air mass from China will move over northeastern Thailand and Bangkok, bringing strong winds that may temporarily clear some pollutants.

 

• 6–8 February: Weaker winds will cause PM2.5 levels to rise again, requiring close monitoring.

 

• 10 February: Another cold air mass is expected, which could improve air quality once more.

Currently, 43 provinces have implemented strict burning bans, with local authorities mobilised to enforce regulations. The government is using village chiefs, district officers, disaster response teams, and health officials to educate communities on health risks and legal consequences. Citizens are urged to report violations to the Dhamrongtham Centre, police, district offices, or local leaders.

 

The Prime Minister has expressed gratitude to all agencies involved, emphasising that nationwide cooperation is essential in mitigating the impact of air pollution.

 

The DDPM, in line with the government’s six-point strategy, has deployed disaster response teams, equipment, and aerial support to areas affected by wildfires and haze. The agency, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Army, has stationed a KA-32 firefighting helicopter at the 7th Infantry Division base in Chiang Mai to assist 17 northern provinces in wildfire suppression efforts.

 

The DDPM will continue to provide real-time updates on PM2.5 levels via its Facebook page and X (@DDPMNews). Citizens can report burning violations or request assistance through the 1784 safety hotline or the DDPM LINE account (@1784DDPM), available 24/7.

 

With a strong multi-agency collaboration and public participation, authorities hope that the “Stop Burning, Stop Dust” campaign will bring tangible improvements in air quality and public health across Thailand.

 

-- 2025-02-04

 

 

[jvs]

Just in time! lol

As always,to little too late!

Are they really thinking people will stop burning?

My neighbors are still burning everyday.

To tackle this problem it will require a life style change and i do not see that happening soon.

Trucks belching out black smoke are still a daily occurrence,if you and i can see this every day then why don't

the police see this?

Lets just hope for early rain and problem solved? for another year.

 

[lordgrinz]

Maybe if they keep spewing the same propaganda they will reach the end of burning season and call it a victory. Rinse then repeat the same scenario next year.

[Captain Flack]

An error in the OP has been corrected, if you note an error in a news item use the report button to bring it to our attention, rather that just make a comment in the topic as it will be missed.

 

Reminder of forum rule 17 - “If you'd like to help us, and you see an error with an article, then please use the report function so that we can attend to it promptly.“

[fondue zoo]

So their solution is to watch the smoke, and talk about the smoke?

 

Mission Accomplished.

[Yagoda]

What was the name of the campaign last year?

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

What was the name of the campaign last year?

 

I don't know, but you can expect it to be regurgitated next year with a new name, and the year after that, and the year after that, and......well I think you see where this is going. Now everybody give the government a round of applause, they have made statements and proclamations, but have shown no real action, it's the thought that counts. 

[happysoul]

Let's flood this topic with pictures taken from now on of burnings 😉

[fondue zoo]

 

 

 

[Thailand]

How many people have been fined for burning so far?

[Bob Skerstonas]

Solutions often require an investment to stop burning fields.    

1. Happy Seeder (No-Till Seeder)
   • A machine that plants seeds directly into fields with crop residues, avoiding the need for burning.
   • Cost: $5,000–$10,000 per unit or 168,337 baht - 336,675 baht
   • Coverage: One machine can process around 10–15 acres per day.
2. Choppers and Shredders
   • Machines that chop and shred crop residues, making them easier to plow back into the soil or transport for other uses.
   • Cost: $4,000–$7,000 per unit or 134,670 baht  - 235,672 baht
   • Coverage: One machine can handle about 5–10 acres per day.

Now find money to offer farmers solutions. 

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thailand has officially launched a nationwide campaign, “Stop Burning, Stop Dust,” to tackle the ongoing problem of PM2.5 air pollution. The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), aims to enforce strict bans on open burning and raise public awareness about the dangers of air pollution.

Clueless people.

[worrab]

20 hours ago, jvs said:

My neighbors are still burning everyday.

Why not report them? Here in Prachuap Khiri Khan province we have Hotline numbers to report these sort of offences.

[spidermike007]

Incompetent weasels. Blame the farmers and the refiners. Corporations do not want to clean up the air, they're making billions by fouling the air. All the government or provinces would have to do is crack down on sugar companies and the air would improve by 70% overnight, this time of year. 

 

One simple move, yet do they do that? Do they enforce any of the existing laws? Absolutely not, they nor the farmers doing the burning do not care for the people one iota, the common man, us, our neighbors and friends and family, we mean less than zero. 

 

Having the Air Force do practice runs by bombing the sugar refineries would be a great place to start. Just make sure none of the employers are there when they drop the bombs. Fining the sugar growers large amounts for burning would also be a benefit. In other words, enforce the laws that are already on the books and stop obfuscating and deflecting and avoiding a solution, while protecting your super rich patrons, who are the culprits and criminals. 

 

How Chiang Mai became the world’s most polluted city-

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/how-chiang-mai-became-the-worlds-most-polluted-city

 

At least one NGO is calling it what it is. Field burning, not forest fires is the main cause of bad air here.

 

[lordgrinz]

4 hours ago, Bob Skerstonas said:

Solutions often require an investment to stop burning fields.    

1. Happy Seeder (No-Till Seeder)
   • A machine that plants seeds directly into fields with crop residues, avoiding the need for burning.
   • Cost: $5,000–$10,000 per unit or 168,337 baht - 336,675 baht
   • Coverage: One machine can process around 10–15 acres per day.
2. Choppers and Shredders
   • Machines that chop and shred crop residues, making them easier to plow back into the soil or transport for other uses.
   • Cost: $4,000–$7,000 per unit or 134,670 baht  - 235,672 baht
   • Coverage: One machine can handle about 5–10 acres per day.

Now find money to offer farmers solutions. 

 

Keep in mind they had an article the other day that said, if the pollution continued for a month, it would cost the Thai economy 4 billion baht, it indeed went for a month. So 4 billion baht could have done a more good towards "seeders", "choppers", and "shredders. But hey, the little princess gave orders to stop burning (which went ignored), so she did her part.

[jvs]

5 hours ago, Bob Skerstonas said:

Solutions often require an investment to stop burning fields.    

1. Happy Seeder (No-Till Seeder)
   • A machine that plants seeds directly into fields with crop residues, avoiding the need for burning.
   • Cost: $5,000–$10,000 per unit or 168,337 baht - 336,675 baht
   • Coverage: One machine can process around 10–15 acres per day.
2. Choppers and Shredders
   • Machines that chop and shred crop residues, making them easier to plow back into the soil or transport for other uses.
   • Cost: $4,000–$7,000 per unit or 134,670 baht  - 235,672 baht
   • Coverage: One machine can handle about 5–10 acres per day.

Now find money to offer farmers solutions. 

Maybe ok for rice but the sugarcane gets burned just before the harvest.

There are solutions but it seems there is no will to really improve things.