Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered authorities to work with neighbouring countries to tackle haze pollution in the northern provinces caused by slash-and-burn farming.
Gen Prayut also called on authorities to enforce laws regarding land burning.
Haze pollution, both in Thailand and neighbouring countries, is high on the national agenda. Short- and long-term solutions are needed, Gen Prayut said.
Worsening haze conditions in the North have caused flights to be diverted and tourist numbers to decline, resulting in an economic downturn, not to mention health problems among locals, he said.
"It's difficult to persuade locals not to burn off forests and land. Authorities need to enforce laws prohibiting the practice," Gen Prayut said.
The practice is part of local cultural heritage, he added.
The prime minister said he had ordered the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to lead other ministries in tackling the haze problem.
The Foreign Ministry would be ordered to send a letter to neighbouring countries and request cooperation in dealing with a number of haze pollution hot spots, said Wichien Jungrungruang, chief of the Pollution Control Department.
In an agreement in November last year, Mekong Sub-Region countries vowed to reduce the number of haze hot spots to 75,000 by 2017 and 50,000 by 2020.
In 2011, there were more than 78,000 hot spots.
"We need to make neighbouring countries realise the importance of eliminating haze hot spots," he said.
Satellite photos show neighbouring countries are host to many hot spots.
The health of locals in northern provinces was still at risk as a result of haze Tuesday, with levels of harmful air particles exceeding safety standards of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/cum).
In Thailand, Chiang Mai had the highest levels with 299 ug/cum, followed by Chiang Rai at 279 ug/cum, Mae Hong Son at 273 ug/cum, Phayao at 265 ug/cum, Lamphun at 210 ug/cum and Lampang at 202 ug/cum.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dapong Ratanasuwan said he had ordered a ban on locals entering forest reserves in the North in a bid to prevent them burning land in preparation for hunting. "Locals are no longer allowed to enter forest areas without permission, as we need to contain this problem," he said.
Before the order, northern residents had permission to enter forests and forage for items that would often either be eaten or sold.