Thailand, Myanmar and Laos jointly solve smoke haze

BANGKOK, Dec 3 – Thailand, Myanmar and Laos will launch their joint efforts to contain smoke haze late this month. Lt Gen Wichak Siribansop, chief of the 3rd army, said the 3rd Army Corps would represent Thailand in the joint efforts with the neighbouring countries. He said that solutions to smoke haze needed the international cooperation and in the Thailand campaigns against forest fires would target northern provinces including Chiang Rai. Campaigns against forest fires are necessary because 99% of them are human caused. The army and relevant governmental organisations will raise public awareness on the hazards of smoke haze through local volunteers, Lt Gen Wichak said. According to the northern army chief, the joint project is aimed at reducing smoke haze by about 60% from last year. Such a project relieved the problem by 40% year on year last year. (TNA)