Air pollution remains alert in northern regions of Thailand
Parts of Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions remained shrouded in dangerous levels of smoke haze on March 28, with the worst pollution still in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district.
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| An air force plane drops water over Chiang Rai’s Muang district to help clear dust from the air and ease sweltering smog on May 28. |
| Photo : bangkokpost/CVN |
The pollution control department has reported dangerous, red-coded levels of particles 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5) in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao and Phrae.
Their PM2.5 levels ranged from 99 to 517 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) of air over 24 hours from 10 a.m. on March 28. The safety threshold set by the government is 50μg/m³.
The worst level, 517 μg/m³, was again reported from Wiang Phang Kham in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai.
Pinsak Suraswadi, director general of the Pollution Control Department, said dense smog persists in these areas due to the large number of forest fires in the countryside, numerous hot spots in neighboring countries and the stagnant air in the area. He warned that air pollution will remain severe in the North until April 4.
Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said provincial governors had the power to impose tough measures to control smoke haze in line with guidelines from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, but the key to the successful implementation depends on the cooperation of the people.
VNA/CVN