Swamp forest fire in Thai South continues into fifth day

NARATHIWAT, THAILAND, July 16 (TNA) - A fire raging a peat swamp forest in Narathiwat Province in Thai South has continued for the fifth day despite heavy rain on Tuesday night. The blaze has engulfed areas standing between Toh Dang swamp forest and Ban Plak Pla in Kosit Sub-district of Narathiwat's Tak Bai District and damaged more than 150 rai-para rubber plantations so far(2.5 rai = 1 acre). TNA reporters viewing the burning swamp forest from a paramotor reported that the heavy rain overnight had put out the fire in two major areas, whereas the blaze in three other areas had remained, fueled by dry rotted plants and animals underground. Firefighters and concerned authorities have been sent to check the areas and contain the fire. Narathiwat's disaster prevention and mitigation office assessed that continual rainfalls should bring the fire under control within three days. The fire was, meanwhile, initially assumed to be triggered by trees and undergrowth cut down and burnt by local farmers to clear nearby farmlands for new plantations and the blaze then spread to the peat swamp forest. (TNA)