26 January 2026, at 12:10 PM, Dr. Raweewan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), conducted an inspection visit and delivered policy directions for operations of the Pollution Control Department (PCD). The visit was welcomed by Mr. Surin Worakijthamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, together with executives and officials, at Meeting Room 202, Pollution Control Department Building, and via Zoom meeting. On this occasion, briefings were presented on key missions, including air and noise quality management, water quality management, management and resolution of municipal solid waste, hazardous substances and hazardous waste, inspection and law enforcement, and pollution management administration.

Mr. Surin Worakijthamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, presented three urgent projects (Quick Wins) for the year 2026, comprising: 1) enhancing solutions to forest fires, haze, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by strengthening measures to reduce PM2.5 emissions from diesel vehicles in Bangkok and from the agricultural sector through economic mechanisms; 2) building public confidence in communities along the Kok River and surrounding areas through intelligent monitoring and early warning systems; and 3) driving MNRE to become the first ministry to apply carbon credit mechanisms in parallel with zero food waste management (MNRE Zero Food Waste), and establishing model zero food waste parks nationwide.

On this occasion, Dr. Raweewan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary of MNRE, delivered policy directives emphasizing the acceleration of the enactment of key legislation, including the (Draft) Act on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment B.E. …. (WEEE), the (Draft) Sustainable Packaging Management Act B.E. …., and the (Draft) Clean Air Management Act B.E. …., as essential mechanisms to drive implementation and to update laws in line with current circumstances. This also includes holding consultations and hearing opinions from relevant stakeholders, particularly the public sector, while taking into account penalties that are appropriate and proportionate to investment and ensuring that such measures are modern and up to date. In addition, PCD was instructed to demonstrate its potential as Thailand’s representative on the ASEAN stage and the global stage, serving as a leader in pollution management and as the national focal point for four international conventions on chemicals and waste.

In this regard, Dr. Raweewan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary of MNRE, emphasized that environmental operations must be grounded in data, facts, and academic knowledge, alongside enhanced integration of cooperation with the private sector and all relevant sectors. She further underscored the need to accelerate the revision and development of environmental legislation to elevate operational effectiveness, achieve tangible results, and genuinely create a high-quality environment for the public.