FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Smog in North easing slowly

Smog in North easing slowly

Prayut’s one-week deadline for tackling haze appears to have triggered action

AIR POLLUTION in the North has eased considerably within the seven-day timeframe set by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who flew to Chiang Mai last Tuesday to address the problem. 
The amount of PM2.5 – hazardous particulate matter of no more than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, for example, has dropped from 272 micrograms per cubic metre of air last Tuesday to 106mcg yesterday. According to the Pollution Control Department, the PM2.5 level above 50mcg shows the air is not safe to breathe. 
Complaints about prolonged smog in the North prompted Prayut to make a short trip to Chiang Mai on April 2. During the visit, the premier made clear that he expected clear results within seven days and promised to take action against officials who failed to meet the target. 
Prayut also directed relevant authorities, as part of short-term measures, to focus on reducing the number of hotspots, as they were the main polluters. 
His intervention led to intensive efforts to combat forest fires and agricultural fires.
The Third Army Area organised more than 100 helicopter flights to help extinguish wildfires during the week. 
The GeoInformatics and Space Technology Development Agency’s fire-monitoring system reported that the number of hotspots in nine northern provinces had dropped to 231 yesterday – a far cry from nearly 2,000 on April 2. 

Smog in North easing slowly
In Mae Hong Son province, several officials worked together to douse fires in a 500-rai (80-hectare) forest. The mission proved successful after helicopters sprayed the area with water at least 100 times. 
Meanwhile, teams are on standby across the province to quickly respond to reported fires. 
Mae Hong Son Governor Sirirat Chumuppakan also on Monday threatened to withhold the land-demarcation survey required for issuing land-rights documents for farmers who had set fire to clear scrub on their land. 
He even suggested that the presence of outdoor fires in a village or a tambon would affect the authority’s future considerations for providing the areas with infrastructure such as electricity and roads.
Sirirat also urged officials to identify and arrest those who light fires, so they can be punished. 
He also emphasised the importance of continuous monitoring and weekly updates throughout April for the most at-risk communities of tambons Mae Khong, Sao Hin and Mae Yuam in Mae Sariang district |and tambon Mae Sam Lap in Sop Moei district. 

Smog in North easing slowly
Sirirat also presented drinking water and other commodities to those fighting the forest fires.
While intensified efforts have apparently improved air quality in the smog-hit North, the progress is bittersweet. 
Siriwat Srisapha, a senior official based in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, revealed yesterday forest-fire responder Wichien Panures had a stroke while helping fight a blaze in the northern province of Lampang. 
“While there, he suffered serious stomach ache and headache. 
“Though he was rushed to hospital, he suffered a stroke on the spot and needed to be transferred to a better equipped hospital,” Siriwat said. 
According to doctors, Wichien is currently in a coma, and his body is showing no signs of response. Doctors believe there is little chance of recovery. 
 

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