Strict law enforcement to curb northern haze

BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) -- Authorities have warned of health hazard from smoke haze in the North and vowed to take tough legal actions to curb the air pollution. The problem in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai has not breached a safety level but locals now see grey clouds blanketing their sky and hot spots were reported in some local forests. The problem is escalating and wildfire already destroyed a 5-rai coffee plantation in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. Dr Jessada Chokedamrongsuk, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said at the Public Health Ministry that chronic patients, the elderly, young children and pregnant women should wear face masks if they had to go outdoors. Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said his subordinates were implementing the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's measures to cope with forest fires. The measures included strict law enforcement and public relations to convince people not to start wildfire or burn garbage because that was illegal. Smoke haze is affecting five provinces and the problem is the severest in Lampang. (TNA)