Charity cycling to battle smog in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI, April 3 (TNA) - More than 500 people joined in charity cycling early Sunday with proceeds aimed at helping officials and volunteers injured from forest fire in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai. The charitable event, presided over by Chiang Rai governor Boonsong Techamaneesathit, saw the cyclist started cycling from a hotel in the provincial seat to a farm with the total distance of approximately 35 kilometres. Proceeds collected from those participating in the cycling will be offered to some 3,000 officials and volunteers who have joined in fighting against forest fire in the province. Currently, the province is facing haze and forest fire problems. Small particles have exceeded required 120 mg/cm standard for nearly one month. In Mae Sai district bordering Myanmar, small particles were measured at 166 mg/cm early Sunday. Provincial authorities have set up a fund to solve the problem and to date more than 700,000 baht has been saved. (TNA)