Thais are urged to protect themselves from haze

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (TNA) -- Thai citizens living in Malaysia are urged to protect themselves from haze from Indonesia, said Thai ambassadorto Malaysia Damrong Kraikruan. Mr Damrong’s recommendation was made as the haze situation in Malaysia is now considered the worst in 18 years and the dust particles are much above the safety limit of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre. In Hat Yai district near the Thai-Malaysian border, the tiny particles stood at about 150 microgrammes per cubic metre early Thursday, according to press reports. Thick white smog, caused by bush fires in Indonesia, is now covering Malaysia, Singapore and several Thai southern provinces. Mr Damrong said the Thai embassy in Malaysia would inform Thais staying in that country through its website how serious the haze situation in Malaysia is on a regular basis. He said the Thais are urged to protect themselves by wearing face masks and should not stay outdoor for a long time. Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are scheduled to hold a six-day ministerial meeting called the 13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and Related Meetings in Vietnam, starting on October 26, Mr Damrong said. Several environmental issues, including the ongoing haze problem and ways to protect people’s health, will be raised at the meeting, he added. (TNA)