Navigational aids prepared at Phuket Airport if affected by haze

PHUKET, THAILAND, October 7 (TNA) - As haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia remains blanketing several areas in the Thai South, including resort Phuket Province, Phuket Airport has prepared navigational aids in case that visibility worsens although the weather condition has not yet affected flights at the airport. Phuket Airport Director Monrudee Ketphan told journalists on Wednesday that visibility has dropped from 5,000 meters to 2,500 meters, but it has not obstructed flights at Phuket Airport yet. Monrudee stressed if visibility worsens, Phuket Airport's staff will apply navigational aids to help pilots. Monrudee also asked local health officials to provide air passengers in Phuket with health advice and face masks. Meanwhile, Pornsri Sutthanarak, Director of the Regional Environment Office 15 in Phuket, said that haze appeared to be relieving in Phuket, but the amount of particulate matters (pms), measured over the past 24 hours, remained at 154 micrograms per cubic meter of air at around 6am, exceeding the safety standard level of 120 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Pornsri assessed that haze should remain in Phuket over the next few days, advising people, especially those in risk groups of children, the elderly, pregnant women and patients of chronic diseases, to wear face masks and refrain from outdoor activities until the situation returns to normal. (TNA)