Smog Situation in Northern Thailand Improves Slightly

CHIANG MAI, March 22 (TNA) - Haze and smoke which have blanketed skies in Thailand’s northern provinces for about three weeks have lessened along with improved visibility following heavy rain and strong wind on Saturday night, the weathermen said. People in the northern capital of Chiang Mai could see the famed Doi Suthep from the far distance for the first time early today in almost a week in the past, they said. Dust particles in Chiang Mai provincial seat have lessened slightly from Saturday but still above the safety standard which is 120 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/cu m). Officials said dust particles measured at Yupparaj Wittayalai School in the heart of the city was at 156 ug/cu m while it stood at 169 ug/cu m around the Government Complex. Despite improvement, people working outside houses or buildings still have to wear face masks and sunglasses to protect themselves from eyes and nose irritation. In Nan province, heavy wind and rain brought hailstones in a village. Damages were not yet estimated. The sky in Nan early today was clear while there were still signs of shower later in the day. Dust particles measured in the central city was at 125 ug/cu m only. People in Nan have been warned of tropical storm and hailstorm which might occur and cause damages to building structures and property. Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Panadda Diskul said that he would chair a meeting with eight governors in the North this Tuesday on finding immediate solution to contain forest blazes and haze which are now affecting the livelihood of the northerners and tourists. Mr. Panadda told Thai News Agency that Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha had expressed his concerns over the situation and ordered him to hold the meeting with the northern governors. The meeting will be held at the Air Force airport in Chiang Mai. According to Mr. Panadda, dust particles this morning in the three northern provinces including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai still exceeded 200 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/cu m), exceeding the safety threshold of 120 ug/cu m. He said the prime minister had ordered every concerned government agency to cooperate and help solve the problem. Mr. Panadda said he would also thank local officials and the Singaporean Air Force in dispatching Chinook helicopters and personnel in assisting the current operation to contain forest fires and haze in the North. Admitting that the haze problem was more serious in the past years than now, Mr. Panadda, also former Chiang Mai governor, said that it was extremely difficult to stop the slash and burn practice adopted by agriculturists there. Provincial officials in the region must join hands to “protect” the area while campaigns must be launched to educate the people to refrain from burning leaves and trees, he added. (TNA)