Thai far South still affected by Indonesian haze

BANGKOK, June 26 (TNA) - The southern Thai region has still been affected by smog from forest fires in Indonesia although its impacts have not been critical. Veerapong Kaeosuwan, Deputy Governor of Narathiwat Province, on Wednesday warned locals to cover their noses outdoors, as levels of particulate matters have exceeded a safe level there. Veerapong also ordered district hospitals to prepare treatment for patients, especially those with heart diseases and asthma; while local fishermen are advised, as well, to remain onshores due to low visibility currently. According to the provincial governor, heavy downpours Tuesday night, however, considerably relieved haze Wednesday morning, but there reamined faint smoke smells near forest-covered hills. In adjacent Trang Province, haze was thicker on Wednesday morning, when local motorists turned on their headlamps and there were also faint smoke smells in some areas. In nearby Songkhla province, haze relieved drastically Wednesday morning and sunlight reached the ground. The Pollution Control Department, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, reported that the levels of haze in the Lower Thai South have ranged from low to moderate, elaborating that the levels were low in Phuket and Songkhla and moderate in Surat Thani, Narathiwat and Yala. Meanwhile, Thai Hotels Association’s President Surapong Techaruvichit told reporters that the domestic tourism has not yet been affected by the haze. Surapong acknowledged that there have been no questions or booking cancellations due to the haze and the domestic tourism has kept growing steadily from last year. (TNA)