Monks battle wildfire as hotspots surge across Thailand

2026-03-25 - 07:41

CHIANG MAI — 25 March 2026, Monks and novices were forced to battle a forest fire on a mountain near Wat Pang Makong in Chiang Dao district, as flames threatened to spread into temple grounds amid a wider surge in wildfire activity across Thailand. Abbot Phra Khru Kasem Jariyanukul said he led monks and novices in fighting the blaze using leaf blowers and improvised tools, while cutting firebreaks to protect the temple and nearby mango orchards belonging to villagers. The fire, which burned through a community forest on the mountainside, spread rapidly and took about one hour to bring under control. Damage is estimated at no less than 10 rai (1.6 hectares). The abbot said wildfires occur around the temple every year, particularly during the dry season when fallen leaves create abundant fuel, forcing monks to remain on constant alert with firefighting equipment. The incident comes as wildfire activity intensifies across Chiang Mai, where authorities reported 207 hotspots across 20 districts on Wednesday morning, with Chiang Dao recording the highest number at 39. Cumulative hotspots from 1 January to 24 March totalled 1,202. Nationwide, Thailand recorded 2,145 hotspots in a single day, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency. Satellite data showed most fires were concentrated in forested areas, including 1,005 hotspots in protected forests and 884 in national reserved forests. Across the region, neighbouring countries reported even higher figures, led by Myanmar with 6,495 hotspots, followed by Laos (3,047), Vietnam (683), Cambodia (631), and Malaysia (178). Air quality has also deteriorated, with multiple monitoring stations in Chiang Mai reporting PM2.5 levels exceeding the safe standard of 37.5 micrograms per cubic metre, reaching as high as 79 in some areas and posing health risks to residents.