ID :
279056
Tue, 03/26/2013 - 18:30
Auther :

PM concerned over haze in Thai North

BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed her concerns over the ongoing smog situation in the Thai North and has instructed relevant agencies to quickly solve haze-related problems. Deputy Government Spokesman Chalitrat Chantarubeksa told journalists that Premier Yingluck expressed her concerns over haze in nine northern provinces at the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Tuesday, during which she and other ministers were briefed by Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi on the updated northern smog situation. Plodprasob told the Cabinet that a total of 4,981 hot spots and harmful dust particles had been detected in the nine haze-hit northern provinces over the past week, with Tak recorded highest levels, and that artificial rain-making operations in the region had apparently not helped due to low humidity in the air. The deputy spokesman said the prime minister then ordered that the Ministry of Science and Technology closely monitor areas affected by forest fires and updates of the northern haze through satellite images, and that the ministry urgently address the smog problem and take care of local people's health parallelly, including providing them with protective materials or devices. The deputy spokesman revealed that the prime minister suggested if the ongoing haze was originated in the Thai territory, relevant agencies should take urgent actions to address the problem, but if the haze was originated in neighboring countries, the concerned agencies should seek cooperation for a joint solution by the neighbours. (TNA)

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