Chiang Mai starts 60-day ban on outdoor burning

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, February 20 (TNA) - Chiang Mai Province in the Thai North has started its ban on all kinds of outdoor burning to prevent and contain haze. Chiang Mai Governor Prawin Chaniprasart on Monday ordered all relevant agencies to strictly implement the 60–day all-out ban on outdoor burning, set during February 20-April 20. Local centers tasked with addressing the smog problem were also set up in both the provincial and local levels to monitor the haze situation around the clock, with their operational units including patrol officials and firefighters. Legal action will be taken against violators of the ban and a cash reward of 5,000 baht each will be offered to any tip-off, leading to an arrest of each violator. Meanwhile, the air quality at Chiang Mai's Provincial Hall remained safe on February 20 when the level of the small particles of less than 10 microns (PM10) were measured at 86 micrograms per cubic meter, moderately lower than the safety standard of 120 micrograms per cubic meter. (TNA)