Deputy Minister coordinates Royal Rainmaking for Pan Phrao Kaeng Kai forest fires

Thairath•Politics•6h ago

Reader Briefing

Deputy Minister of Agriculture directs helicopter deployment from the Royal Rainmaking Department to combat persistent forest fires in Pan Phrao Kaeng Kai, following a visit to assess the situation.

•Deputy Minister of Agriculture Watcharaphon Khaokham has requested assistance from the Royal Rainmaking Department to address forest fires in Pan Phrao Kaeng Kai.
•The fires are located in multiple provinces including Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Loei.
•Helicopters will be deployed to aid in extinguishing the fires, as residual smoke plumes remain a risk of reignition.
•The situation was assessed on April 12, 2026, with continued monitoring and action on April 13, 2026.

Overview

•On April 13, 2026, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Watcharaphon Khaokham announced the coordination with the Royal Rainmaking Department.
•Deputy Minister Watcharaphon Khaokham visited the Pan Phrao Kaeng Kai forest fire area on April 12, 2026, to assess the situation.
•Deputy Minister Watcharaphon Khaokham stated that smoke plumes are still present and could reignite, necessitating close monitoring.
•Deputy Minister Watcharaphon Khaokham requested the deployment of helicopters from the Royal Rainmaking Department to help extinguish the forest fires.
•High temperatures are contributing to the risk of forest fires occurring during this period.
•The forest fires have been ongoing since April 10, 2026, affecting areas in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Loei provinces.
•While raging fires are not currently observed, multiple smoke plumes capable of reignition remain active.
•Helicopter operations to combat the forest fires are set to commence immediately upon the arrival of the aircraft.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Thairath (Thai Version)Read on Thairath (English Version)

Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Watcharaphon Khaokham

"Although no raging fires are currently visible, there are still many smoke plumes that could reignite, requiring close monitoring by officials."

แม้ขณะนี้ไม่พบเห็นไฟที่จะมีลักษณะลุกลามโหมกระหน่ำแล้ว แต่ยังคงมีกลุ่มควันไฟหลายจุด ซึ่งพร้อมปะทุได้ เจ้าหน้าที่จึงต้องควบคุมและเฝ้าระวังอย่างใกล้ชิด

Watcharaphon Khaokham

"Therefore, I coordinated with the Royal Rainmaking Department to move helicopters to help extinguish the forest fires, with operations commencing upon their arrival."

ตนจึงประสานกรมฝนหลวง เคลื่อนย้ายเฮลิคอปเตอร์มาช่วยดับไฟป่า โดยจะเริ่มภารกิจทันทีที่เฮลิคอปเตอร์มาถึง

Key Entities

Person

Watcharaphon Khaokham(วัชระพล ขาวขำ)

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives who is coordinating efforts to combat forest fires.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture(รมช.เกษตรฯ)

The official title of Watcharaphon Khaokham in this article.

Organization

Royal Rainmaking Department(กรมฝนหลวง)ℹ️

The government department tasked with assisting in extinguishing forest fires through aerial operations.

Place

Pan Phrao Kaeng Kai National Forest Reserve(ป่าสงวนแห่งชาติพานพร้าวแก้งไก่)

The location where the forest fires are occurring.

Sakhon District(อ.สังคม)

A district in Nong Khai province affected by the forest fires.

Nong Khai Province(จ.หนองคาย)ℹ️

A province in Thailand affected by the forest fires.

Nayung District(อ.นายูง)

A district in Udon Thani province affected by the forest fires.

Udon Thani Province(จ.อุดรธานี)ℹ️

A province in Thailand affected by the forest fires.

Pak Chom District(อ.ปากชม)

A district in Loei province affected by the forest fires.

Loei Province(จ.เลย)ℹ️

A province in Thailand affected by the forest fires.

Timeline

April 13, 2026(วันที่ 13 เมษายน 2026)

The date when Deputy Minister Watcharaphon Khaokham provided an update on the forest fire situation.

April 10(วันที่ 10 เมษายน)

The date when the forest fire incident in Pan Phrao Kaeng Kai began.

April 12(วันที่ 12 เมษายน)

The date Deputy Minister Watcharaphon Khaokham visited the affected area and coordinated with provincial authorities.