Transboundary haze remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Southeast Asia. And Thailand is taking action.

Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin visited the Lao PDR for talks with the Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Linkham Doungsavanh, focusing on strengthening the Clear Sky Strategy, a trilateral
initiative on transboundary haze management involving Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.

Both sides agreed to advance cooperation in four key areas:
1) Development of a Lao Air Quality Reporting Platform and a National Air Quality Center;
2) Utilization of the "WhatsApp Hotline CLEAR Sky" for rapid communication at the director-general level;
3) Establishment of a trilateral wildfire prevention mechanism among Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as exchanges
on GAP Zero Burning practices; and
4) Implementation of a traceability system in the agricultural sector, particularly for maize, to ensure imports come from no-burning production practices.

Minister Suchart also proposed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to modernize bilateral cooperation in natural resources and environmental management, bringing it in line with current needs and Laos' evolving administrative structure.

The visit strengthens regional environmental cooperation and reflects Thailand's proactive role in systematic
transboundary haze management, while enhancing academic, technological, and management capacities to improve the quality of life and support sustainable regional development.