Thick smog remains in Thai North

BANGKOK, Feb 24 (TNA) Thick smog has remained in the Thai North following a drop in temperatures; while the number of local people suffering from respiratory problems has risen. The smog situation in Chiang Mai Province was critical early Friday morning with poor visibility and people wearing face masks, as dust particles had increased although they had not yet exceeded safety standards. Local officials were spraying water in all of Chiang Mai’s 25 districts in a bid to increase the moisture and to ease the problem; while the number of people suffering from respiratory illnesses has risen. Doctors have advised people suffering from illnesses to refrain from doing exercises outdoor and always wear mask when they have to leave their homes. The thick smog has also hit nearby Lamphun Province with dust particles even exceeding safety standards due to illegal slash and burn of trees. Dust particles in Lamphun were measured at 122.29 microgramme per cubic metre early Friday morning, surpassing the safety standard at 120 microgramme per cubic metre and visibility was poor. Meanwhile, officials concerned acknowledged that dry weather is expanding forest fires in the Thai North, reporting that there have been over 300 forest fires in Chiang Mai and Lamphun over the past four months, causing haze and, probably, flash floods in the upcoming rainy season. (TNA)