Haze in Thai South relieves

SONGKHLA, June 22 (TNA) - Haze in several areas in the Thai South, caused by forest fires on the Sumatra Island in neighbouring Indonesia, has now eased, but local authorities concerned have kept closely monitoring the situation until a change of the regional monsoon over the next couple of months. Thailand's Southern Meteorological Centre (East Coast) in Songkhla Province reported on Friday that hot spots on the Sumatra Island have dropped to some 226, from 310 a few days ago, thanks to recent showers in upper parts of the Sumatra Island. The Thai authorities concerned have, however, kept closely monitoring the smog situation until the current southwest monsoon changes to the northeast monsoon in October 2012 and people of vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly and allergic patients, have still been warned to avoid their outdoor activities until the situation returns to normal.(TNA)