Move Forward wants to enact a ban on agricultural products that contribute to the burning problem, including those imported from neighbouring countries that then enter Thailand tax-free.
As part of a wider agenda, the party wants provincial governors directly elected – instead of being appointed by the central government – to decentralise key decisions and budgets and put them in the hands of local administrators instead.
“Solving various problems is a complex issue. The government should cooperate with other countries sincerely and honestly. Food security is important, and our government can ban agricultural products that come from burning,” said Phetcharat Maichompoo, the party’s district 1 candidate in Chiang Mai.
“We will allocate 3 million baht (US$88,000) to each sub-district to help eradicate forest fires in the forest areas. This includes purchasing equipment and managing fuel in the area.
“I used to be a volunteer forest firefighter, so I know well that the government does not have as much budget as it should have and makes it hard to fix the problem directly,” she added.
Those on the front line – like Nattapon Singtoen, head of the wildfire volunteer team of the Mirror Foundation – agree more resources to deal with the annual problem need to be provided on a local level by whoever is in office.
“If political parties recognise this issue and take it seriously, there can be a deployment of various technological resources to combat the fires. This will make the situation less burdensome,” he said.
“There are many measures that can reduce these problems, but the issue may not disappear if the government does not understand the severity of the situation.”