Unhealthy haze blankets Thai North

NORTHERN THAILAND, April 20 (TNA) - Haze remains in the Thai North, where three provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phrae are mostly affected with hazardous smog. Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director-General Chatchai Phromlert told journalists on Wednesday that the levels of particulate matters which are harmful to human health were latest measured at 186 micrograms per cubic meters of air in Chiang Rai, 149 micrograms in Chiang Mai and 76 micrograms in Phrae, compared to the safety standard level of no more than 120 micrograms per cubic meters of air. Chatchai said his department has, thus, deployed 16 spray trucks to improve weather conditions in the haze hardest-hit areas. Chatchai noted that moderate air quality was found in six other northern Thai provinces, including Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao and Tak. The senior official advised locals to wear facemasks while being outdoors, refrain from burning objects and drive carefully due to low visibility. Besides, haze victims could seek official assistance via his department's hotline, No. 1784. (TNA)