Pollution Control Department
Pollution Control Department (PDC, Thai: กรมควบคุมมลพิษ) is a Thai dependent department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.[1] The department is tasked with reducing environmental pollution in Thailand, along with collecting data on pollution levels and sources.[2] OrganizationThe most senior official in the Department is the Director-General. The position is currently held by Preeyaporn Suwannakes (Thai: ปรีญาพร สุวรรณเกษ, RTGS: Priyaphon Suwanket).[3] HistoryIn 2024, the PDC released a pollution control plan for 2025 that aimed to address haze pollution, including targeting forest, agricultural and urban sources.[4] The PCD operates vehicle checkpoints targeting "black smoke" emissions.[5][6] In 2021, approximately half of all vehicles stopped by PCD checkpoints exceeded legal exhaust limits.[7] These checkpoints were increased during the 2025 Bangkok smog. On 1 February 2025, PCD Director-General Preeyaporn Suwannakes announced new measures targeting vehicles emitting black smoke in conjunction with the Traffic Police Division.[3] These measures include mandating vehicle owners fix non-compliant vehicles within 15 days, a decrease from the previous requirement of 30 days.[3] Under the authority of Thailand's Traffic Act and the Environmental Protection Act of 1992, police can now order vehicle owners to rectify excess emissions within the 15-day period.[3] References
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