Air pollution has become a major challenge in many parts of the world, and Thailand is no exception. Each year—particularly during the dry season from around January to April—the country experiences recurring spikes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5). A key contributing factor is open burning, as many farmers still use traditional methods to clear crop residues before the next planting cycle. According to Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD), most PM2.5 hotspots nationwide are linked to biomass burning, with a significant share occurring in forest areas and agricultural zones. Scientific analyses by NASA and Thailand’s GISTDA further confirm that forest fires and agricultural burning are among the primary drivers of severe haze in northern Thailand. These patterns highlight how actions in relatively small areas can generate wide-ranging air quality impacts, making PM2.5 pollution a complex challenge that requires coordinated, multi-sector solutions.

In response, the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC), the Board of Investment (BOI), the Royal Forest Department, the Head of Mae Tha District, and Charoen Pokphand Foods Public (CPF) have joined forces to establish a multi-sector collaboration in Lamphun Province, south of Chiang Mai. Set against a mountainous backdrop, this northern province has faced increasingly severe forest fires in recent years.

The pilot phase focuses on community forest areas in Tha Pla Duk and Tha Sop Sao subdistricts, covering 12 villages across more than 20,000 rai. Running from 2026 to 2028, the project emphasizes practical, long-term impact through local participation. Key activities include community training in fire prevention and control, provision of firefighting equipment, establishment of fire surveillance points, and the introduction of technologies that convert natural and agricultural residues—such as branches and dry leaves—into household biofuel, creating additional income streams for local families.

Yothin Prasongkwamdee, Deputy Governor of Lamphun, emphasized that community participation sits at the heart of the initiative’s strategy, noting that the project delivers benefits across environmental protection, public health, quality of life, and local economic development.

From the private sector perspective, Rewat Hataisatyapong, Head of Livestock Feed Business at CPF, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to responsible business practices that support both communities and the environment. He noted that CPF’s participation helps strengthen cross-sector collaboration and shared learning to develop solutions that can be expanded nationwide. Community engagement, he added, is essential to building a replicable model that contributes to cleaner air and improved quality of life across Thailand.

“Environmental responsibility is embedded at the core of CPF’s operations. We integrate sustainability into every stage of our value chain to ensure long-term resilience for both the community and the economy. We also deeply value the support and partnership of local communities, whose collaboration is essential in driving meaningful and lasting environmental progress.” Mr. Rewat said.
 

Beyond field activities, CPF is also addressing PM2.5 at the upstream level through its responsible feed ingredient sourcing policy. The company does not purchase or import corn from deforested areas or plots associated with crop burning. Since 2016, CPF has worked closely with farmers and local crop collectors to implement a traceability system linking GPS farm coordinates with satellite imagery, enabling accurate monitoring of land-use risks. Today, 100% of corn procured by CPF in Thailand is fully traceable to farm plots.

By combining on-the-ground wildfire prevention with supply chain accountability, the collaboration in Lamphun reflects a broader shift toward integrated solutions—where government, business, and communities work side by side to tackle the root causes of air pollution and create a path toward sustainably fresher air in northern Thailand.