Southern Thai forest areas damaged by wildfire

NARATHIWAT, THAILAND, May 23 (TNA) - Officials have already brought a persistent wildfire in Narathiwat Province in the Thai Far South under control, but widespread areas in five districts have been damaged. Narathiwat Governor Sitthichai Sakda told reporters of the update on May 22, saying that over 3,000 rais of forest areas (2.5 rais = 1 acre) in five districts of Su-ngai Golok, Su-ngai Padi, Bajoh, Yi-ngo and Tak Bai have been damaged, about 1,700 rais of which are those in Toh Dang Peat Swamp Forest and in local conservative forests. Sitthichai acknowledged that the wildfire situation in his province has eased and put out, thanks to continual downpours since May 17. According to the governor, an artificial rain operation unit in nearby Songkhla Province that helped put out the wildfire has turned to assist areas affected by drought in the Thai Deep South instead. Besides, artificial rain in the Toh Dang Peat Swamp Forest is being provided by the unit to increase local water levels. The governor noted that he has also assigned local village heads and village defence forces to continue monitoring the situation for a certain period to prevent any renewed forest fire in the province. (TNA)