Thailand may have to take tough action and ban the import of maize from neighbouring countries next year, if they refuse to control the burning of farm waste and forests, contributing to transboundary air pollution, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today, during his tour to observe the haze problem.

He said that he has previously warned that Thailand may impose import taxes on maize from neighbouring countries if they do not control the generation of airborne pollution, but the warning has been ignored, causing him to consider tougher action, by outright banning maize imports.

Quoting studies on the causes of PM2.5, Srettha said that the problem in Thailand is mostly caused by transboundary smoke, followed by domestic forest fires and the burning of farm waste.

The prime minister said that PM2.5 is an economic problem and it should be addressed with new innovations, adding that Thailand cannot force its neighbours to end the burning of farm waste, but it can put pressure on them to restrain their farmers.

Without decisive action, however, he said that it will be impossible to ease or stop the transboundary smoke problem.

As far as Thailand is concerned, he said the government does not tolerate the setting of fires in forests and a reward of 10,000 baht is offered to anyone who manages to capture a fire starter.

The prime minister also said that, although forest fires this year number about one-third of those last year, he is still not satisfied.