Holidaymakers pack Samila Beach after haze problem improves

SONGKHLA, Oct 24 (TNA) -- Swimmers and holidaymakers packed Samila Beach in the southern province of Songkhla on Saturday after haze problem from Indonesia that covered the province in the past few days improved due to heavy rain, officials said. Visibility in the province has improved as people and holidaymakers visiting the beach could see the Mermaid Statue on the beach along with Koh Noo and Koh Maew (Rat and Cat islands) much better than the past few days, they said. Dust particles in Songkhla are still above the safety limit of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/cu m). It stood at 142 ug/cu m. Seafood and souvenir traders putting stalls along the beach were certainly happy to see visitors at the beach again after it had been quiet for some time due to the haze problem. They hope that the condition in the province would return to normal soon. Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are scheduled to hold a six-day ministerial meeting called the 13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and Related Meetings in Vietnam, starting next Monday. Haze problem from Indonesia which is now posing health problems for people in Malaysia, Singapore and southern Thailand is expected to be raised by members of the grouping during the meeting. (TNA)