No, open burning in Thailand is largely prohibited under the Enforcement Notification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (2023) and the Clean Air Act (1992), with exceptions for agricultural waste in designated zones under strict provincial oversight.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Thailand
- National Bans: The Clean Air Act and National Environmental Quality Act (B.E. 2535) prohibit open burning of agricultural waste, household trash, and industrial byproducts nationwide, except where explicitly permitted by local authorities.
- Provincial Exemptions: Some provinces (e.g., Chiang Mai, Lampang) allow controlled agricultural burning during dry seasons under Provincial Governor Notifications, but only with prior approval from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) and local agricultural offices.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: New PCD guidelines (2025) mandate digital permit systems for all exempted burns, requiring GPS-tagged documentation and real-time air quality monitoring to curb haze-related violations.
Penalties & Enforcement: Violations trigger fines up to 1 million THB under the Public Health Act or criminal charges under the Environmental Quality Promotion and Protection Act, with enforcement led by the PCD and local Environmental Crime Suppression Divisions. Repeat offenders face asset seizures and imprisonment.