The CLEAR Sky Strategy, formally launched in 2020, was predicated on a three-pronged approach: enhanced monitoring and forecasting, collaborative enforcement, and community engagement. The strategy’s core lies in the establishment of a regional haze monitoring system, coupled with joint patrols and prosecutions targeting illegal burning activities. Data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel satellites provides crucial information, while ground-based monitoring stations, though unevenly distributed, offer localized data. According to a report by the Bangkok-based Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) released in October 2025, satellite data revealed a 15% decrease in overall fire hotspots compared to the pre-strategy baseline, a statistic which, despite appearing positive, fails to account for a concurrent increase in seasonal burning activity driven by agricultural practices.
Key stakeholders involved include the Thai, Lao, and Myanmar governments, along with regional organizations like the ASEAN Secretariat and the World Bank. Dr. Anupong Piyasakchai, a senior environmental policy analyst at Chulalongkorn University, notes, “The success of CLEAR Sky hinges on the genuine commitment of all parties to enforce regulations effectively. Political will, frequently a critical constraint, is the single most significant factor.” Indeed, reports from independent observers suggest that Myanmar’s enforcement capacity remains significantly weaker than Thailand’s, limiting the strategy’s overall impact. Despite bilateral agreements, the flow of information and coordinated action across the border has been hampered by bureaucratic delays and competing priorities.
Recent developments over the past six months underscore the strategy’s fragility. While peak haze events have been somewhat reduced, localized incidents, often linked to sugarcane harvesting in Northern Thailand, continue to generate substantial smoke. Furthermore, a lack of consistent, transparent reporting mechanisms hinders accurate assessment of the strategy’s true efficacy. The “No Burn, Clear Sky, Clean Air” campaign, launched alongside the strategy, while employing emotionally resonant imagery, has had limited success in changing deeply ingrained agricultural practices. A survey conducted by the Thailand Development Research Institution (TDRI) indicated that only 18% of surveyed farmers understood the full consequences of open burning.
Looking ahead, short-term (next 6 months) outcomes are likely to remain characterized by intermittent haze events, primarily driven by agricultural activities. However, increased collaboration with Myanmar, potentially through technical assistance and capacity building initiatives, could mitigate this. Long-term (5-10 years), success will depend on a fundamental shift in agricultural practices. Promoting sustainable farming techniques, providing financial incentives for farmers to adopt alternatives to burning, and bolstering public awareness campaigns are critical. The World Bank, currently involved in providing financing for the strategy, anticipates the need for a revised strategy in 2027, contingent on demonstrable progress. “The CLEAR Sky strategy needs to move beyond simply monitoring smoke to actively incentivizing cleaner alternatives,” stated a representative from the World Bank Group during a closed-door briefing in November 2025. A critical element is the development of robust monitoring and enforcement systems that provide actionable intelligence for policymakers. Ultimately, the long-term viability of the CLEAR Sky strategy—and its contribution to regional stability—rests on a collective willingness to confront the complex economic and social pressures driving agricultural burning. This requires a sustained commitment to innovation, collaboration, and, above all, a shared vision of a truly “clear sky.”