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Recurring forest fires in northern Thailand have become increasingly severe as a result of climate change. The fires particularly affect local communities through rising health problems, destroyed ecosystems and threats to livelihoods.
At the same time, the people who are most affected by this have had limited influence over the political decisions that govern the efforts to combat these fires.
With support from the Palme Center, local communities in Chiang Mai province received education on climate change, environmental impacts and forest fire management. Through the education, participants developed their own policy proposals based on their experiences and needs.
The proposals were presented to a progressive parliamentary partner in Thailand, who took the initiative further and transformed the recommendations into a draft bill. The bill was passed in two of three readings in the Thai parliament before parliament was dissolved in December 2025. At the same time, a breakthrough was achieved at regional level: the Lamphun provincial administration adopted both the education methodology and the policy proposals as the basis for its own strategy for managing forest fires.
This work has brought about a significant change. Local communities that previously tried to fight the fires themselves have now been given the opportunity to influence the policies that govern climate adaptation and environmental work.
By combining public education, local engagement and parliamentary influence, the initiative has demonstrated how climate policy can be developed from the bottom up – where those affected by climate change also have a say in decisions on how to address them.
40 000 Burmese refugees granted the right to work in ThailandTens of thousands of people who have fled the war in Myanmar have long lived in camps in Thailand without the opportunity to work legally and support their families. As international aid has decreased sharply, the uncertainty is increasing further for these already vulnerable communities.
Through joint advocacy efforts by a progressive parliamentary partner in Thailand, civil society organisations and the SocDem Asia network, the situation has begun to change.
In December 2024, policy workshops were organised where Thai politicians, researchers and representatives of Burmese communities met. In March 2025, a conference on Myanmar was held in the Thai parliament, focusing on living conditions and security in Thailand’s border areas.
This resulted in more concrete policy proposals regarding access to the labour market, education, healthcare and legal status for people from Myanmar in the country.
The Palme Center’s Thai partner organization adopted the proposals as part of their parliamentary agenda and pushed the issue alongside civil society.
When the Thai government finally took action, the result became that around 40 000 refugees from Myanmar got granted work permits in Thailand.
For many, this decision means legal income for the first time, greater security and increased dignity. At the same time, it opens the door to further discussions on education for children, access to healthcare and more long-term social inclusion.
