Smog situation critical in Northern Thailand; Mae Hong Son flights cancelled

The dust haze is made up of tiny particles with a size of less than 10 micrometres. These particles can easily enter the lungs. Doctors have warned people to wear face masks when outdoors.

"We have never seen [levels] this high in Mae Hong Son before," said Pramin Wattanawaree, chief of the environment office in the province. "The situation is in deep crisis."

The air pollution was so bad in Chiang Mai, people were complaining of eye and respiratory irritations as well as poor visibility. A local nursery in Muang Chiang Mai cancelled all outdoor activities for the children under its care and reported some kids developing allergy symptoms.

The Chiang Mai International Airport had to turn on its runway lights and the authorities put out more cloud-seeding flights.

Lamphun Governor Direk Konkleep said the smog situation in the province was critical. Officials restrict outdoor burning, prepare to quickly put out forest fires and urge residents to wash their homes and spray water around to increase humidity in the air.

Chiang Rai Prachanukhro Hospital Deputy Director Dr Phisanu Khantipong said that 2,500-3,000 people from 18 districts are seeking medical treatment at the hospital on a daily basis. Most were small children and senior citizens suffering from respiratory irritations.

Forest and farm land burn-offs locally and in neighbouring countries were the main source of the problem plaguing the five provinces, Pramin Wattanawaree, chief of the environment office in Mae Hong Son province, said.

He declined to name the countries but his supervisor in Bangkok, Siripong Hungspreug, natural resources and environment deputy permanent secretary, said Thailand wanted to cooperate with Laos and Burma to tackle the problem.

"We will submit a letter to Laos and Burma asking for their cooperation on the issue," Mr Siripong said.


[Source: Bangkok Post, The Nation]