Northern haze ‘must be on national agenda’

[webfact]

Northern haze ‘must be on national agenda’

By Chularat Saengpassa 
The Nation

 

A bird’seye view from Phra That Khao Noi Temple in Nan’s Muang district reveals smog shrouding the northern province.

 

CALLS FOR the government to make tackling the problem of serious air pollution part of the national agenda are getting louder.

 

The North has been struggling with severe air pollution for several months now, as outdoor fires are increasing the amount of airborne dust particles. 

 

 

Prolonged exposure to fine dust particles such as PM2.5 – particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – is linked to several health problems including strokes and heart failures. As of press time yesterday, the amount of PM2.5 in the North exceeded the safe limit of 50 micrograms (mcg) per cubic metre of air. 

 

“Smog is a threat to people’s health,” said Sonthi Kotchawat, an independent environmental health expert.

 

He added that the region has been struggling with this dust problem for a long time now, but relevant parties have simply waited for nature – such as wind and rain – to blow away the dangerous dust particles. 

 

“We can’t let northerners struggle with smog every year because their health is in grave danger,” Sonthi said, demanding that the authorities issue clear action plans to address the problem. He also emphasised that the government actively participate in dealing with the problem instead of leaving the job to local authorities.

 

For instance, he said, Chiang Rai – which had the worst air pollution in the nation yesterday – suffered mainly from fires in neighbouring countries. 

 

“Don’t rely on provincial authorities to address this problem. The government needs to take action because the smog has worsened over time,” Sonthi said. 

 

Records show that there were 6,080 hotspots in Myanmar and 3,030 in Laos on Wednesday. Both countries border Thailand in the North. 

 

Although the Asean Transboundary Haze-Fee Roadmap is in place, fires from Thailand’s neighbours have continued polluting the air. 

 

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai has been topping the global list of the world’s most polluted city for a few hours every day since Tuesday. As of 1.49pm yesterday, it was the most polluted city. It’s Air Quality Index stood at 293, a far cry from the safe limit of 100. 

 

The list of the world’s most polluted cities is compiled by AirVisual.com, which monitors air quality across the world. 

 

The Pollution Control Department wrote to Myanmar on Monday asking for help with the smog, but there has been no satisfactory result so far. 

 

In Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, which is next to Myanmar, the PM2.5 level hovered around 208mcg per cubic metre of air as of noon yesterday and its AQI stood at a shocking 318 – a threat even to healthy people. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365843

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-15

[Thailand]

It's not haze it is a choking smog of epic proportions!

[Prairieboy]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Chiang Rai – which had the worst air pollution in the nation yesterday – suffered mainly from fires in neighbouring countries

This seems to be the standard mantra!  Don't accept responsibility - always blame someone else for self-imposed woes.

 

Part of the solution, as I said in a posting yesterday lies in returning the agricultural 'waste' back to the soil.

 

https://therotaryshredder.wixsite.com/stop-the-burning

[MalandLee]

Surface Wind
The pattern of surface wind directions is characterized by the monsoon system. The
Prevailing winds during the northeast monsoon season are mostly north and northeast in
upper Thailand and east or northeast in the Southern Part while they are south, southwest and
west over the country during the southwest monsoon. In summer, prevailing wind are mostly
south, especially in upper Thailand.

SOURCE: https://www.tmd.go.th/en/archive/thailand_climate.pdf

 

Given the above, it would seem Laos plays little part. Myanmar may play a bigger part, but, as everyone who lives there knows, "wind" is a relativity rare phenomena, year round, particularly in Chiang Mai - The MAJORITY of the pollution problems are "Home Grown".

 

The article seems about "shifting blame", rather than an objective appraisal of the facts. That's just my opinion.

[Prissana Pescud]

There is a simple solution called ASEAN. 

But that will never be raised because ASEAN is all about diplomacy and not about action.

Farmers, the core instrument of government wealth have been burning fields for thousands of years.

And no one has yet provided Asia with an alternative. 

How do you clear fields of stubble to plant the next year if you cannot afford to buy a tractor or pay the fuel.

The burned stubble is the fertilizer. Not too many farmers can afford alternatives.

 

 On a recent trip to Bangkok, the pollution was not ash, it was vehicle fumes.

 It is an easy solution to fix. Not going to happen in these countries. Unless hard democratic policy is enforced. Not going to happen 

[Prissana Pescud]

3 minutes ago, MalandLee said:

Surface Wind
The pattern of surface wind directions is characterized by the monsoon system. The
Prevailing winds during the northeast monsoon season are mostly north and northeast in
upper Thailand and east or northeast in the Southern Part while they are south, southwest and
west over the country during the southwest monsoon. In summer, prevailing wind are mostly
south, especially in upper Thailand.

SOURCE: https://www.tmd.go.th/en/archive/thailand_climate.pdf

 

Given the above, it would seem Laos plays little part. Myanmar may play a bigger part, but, as everyone who lives there knows, "wind" is a relativity rare phenomena, year round, particularly in Chiang Mai - The MAJORITY of the pollution problems are "Home Grown".

 

The article seems about "shifting blame", rather than an objective appraisal of the facts. That's just my opinion.

All countries that burn annually include Cambodia, Myanmar, Loas, Thailand, a bit in Malaysia and huge amounts in Indon.

Kalitanman, (I mean Borneo) is perpetually on fire during the dry season. ASEAN could fix, but ASEAN has no teeth, just a diplomatic talk fest.

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

For instance, he said, Chiang Rai – which had the worst air pollution in the nation yesterday – suffered mainly from fires in neighbouring countries.

those of us that live in chiang rai understand full well that china,laos,maynmar are killing us and there is nothing that thailand can do; prevailing breezes in most mornings comes from our northeast; the 3 countries mentioned

[Prissana Pescud]

11 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

those of us that live in chiang rai understand full well that china,laos,maynmar are killing us and there is nothing that thailand can do; prevailing breezes in most mornings comes from our northeast; the 3 countries mentioned

I live in the northern central. (Prachinburi) I would hate it if I lived in a worse area than my own. 

Because every day there is a film of ash on everything.

Rural farmers have been doing this form of land preparation for this years crops ever since they became an agrarian culture.

 There is a simple solution, but the junta would have to give funds to farmers. Not going to happen. 

[MalandLee]

Whilst I do believe Thailand is ignoring it's own culpability, I  do think Prissana 

Has  the global picture It will take ASIAN's cooperation and perhaps beyond, for their to be real change

 

This picture shows last seven days - seems relatively equal culpability here... 

[canopy]

12 minutes ago, Prissana Pescud said:

Rural farmers have been doing this form of land preparation for this years crops ever since they became an agrarian culture.

Burning is a new practice that came with chemical farming. In the old days the buffalo would plow the stalks back into the soil for enrichment. EVERYTHING was organic! In today's modern chemical system the stalks are just a waste product and burned. Also in paddy farming back before our generation crabs and snake head fish were released for pest control and at harvest provided a good food source. Now pest control is done by poisons.

 

15 minutes ago, Prissana Pescud said:

 There is a simple solution, but the junta would have to give funds to farmers.

It's as if you are implying farmers are forced to burn or would be worse off if they didn't do it. This is not true. Burning is bad for farming. It depletes the soil and creates erosion of top soil. But nobody cares about that. They just add more chemical fertilizers which makes them more poor. Farmers burn because they enjoy it. Some people think there must be some deeper justification, but there isn't. Just like there is no reason to make motorcycles loud, but everyone just does it anyway. It's just a thing everyone gets enjoyment from. Who cares if it is illegal and health issue. Nobody cares.

 

[SoilSpoil]

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

those of us that live in chiang rai understand full well that china,laos,maynmar are killing us and there is nothing that thailand can do; prevailing breezes in most mornings comes from our northeast; the 3 countries mentioned

Almost all locals in Chiang Rai burn what ever they get their hands on. Chiang Rai does seem to respect the burning ban, but the other 10 months of the year its burning business as usual. 

[boonrawdcnx]

Neighboring countries - yes of course ! Yesterday was one of the worst days so far with AQI readings above 400 in some places in Chiang Mai.

I could not believe my eyes when I looked up to the mountains north of Doi Saket after dark yesterday and saw the entire mountain on fire - deliberately set by greedy morons to make a few bucks! How greedy, stupid and ignorant can people be? Worst sufferers are their own little children who’s lungs are still developing.

Just look at the fires burning in the pic - but blame the neighbors like every year!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

[boonrawdcnx]

This reading just taken now - the burning ban is in force since last week somebody spent millions on colorful posters but nobody is enforcing the ban - year after year nothing but talk.




Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[jak2002003]

5 hours ago, Prissana Pescud said:

 

Farmers, the core instrument of government wealth have been burning fields for thousands of years.

And no one has yet provided Asia with an alternative. 

How do you clear fields of stubble to plant the next year if you cannot afford to buy a tractor or pay the fuel.

The burned stubble is the fertilizer. Not too many farmers can afford alternatives.

 

This is not quite accurate.  Farmers used to use buffalo and cows to plough the fields.. mixing the stubble back into the earth. No tractors back then!!!   Burning was to clear overgrown land and scrubland to convert to farmland.  Most of the burning is coming from forest fires here too.. which are so damaging to the ecosystems and native animals.. all for making money from black mushrooms.

 

The rotting stubble and buffalo dung in the fields acts as the fertilizer.  Burning the fields they loose a lot of nutrients as the ash is blown away in the wind.

 

Times have changed and these farmers, in general, are now LAZY to take proper care of their fields.  Burning is much easier and quicker then taking the time to hook up a buffalo or 2 and walk up and down ploughing.  Also the traditional, mixed, farms have mostly gone. 

 

The solution is easy.  Either they hire a tractor, hire a company to plough it (same as they all do with the rice harvesting machines). 

 

 

[CGW]

2 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Times have changed and these farmers, in general, are now LAZY to take proper care of their fields.

Agreed, problem is amplified by LAZY Police & government officials who are doing nothing to resolve the problem besides reporting it as little as possible!

 

The problem is far more widespread than they would have us believe, problem for them is people are becoming more aware and equipment to monitor readily available.

Outside of Udon the PM 2.5 reading have been over 150 for days now & its not even considered a problem area!

[brommers]

Let's face it the north is not seen as a supporter of the "correct kind" of electoral candidates and so will be actively neglected.

 

Only when the local population start taking their own actions to curb burning will anything improve. And there is b*gger all hope of that happening. The police big wig living next to my house burns his garden refuse while he coughs like crazy every day.

 

In my lifetime, probably shortened, there will be no solution.

[ChipButty]

All is saved... our beloved leader flew up to Chiang Mai and promised to save the day.

Then flew out again.

[jak2002003]

15 minutes ago, CGW said:

Agreed, problem is amplified by LAZY Police & government officials who are doing nothing to resolve the problem besides reporting it as little as possible!

 

The problem is far more widespread than they would have us believe, problem for them is people are becoming more aware and equipment to monitor readily available.

Outside of Udon the PM 2.5 reading have been over 150 for days now & its not even considered a problem area!

Good post with good points.

 

I might add, that the main problem seems to be about not enforcing the laws.  I don't thinkthis is about being lazy though... its more about not wanting to upset anybody. 

 

They don't want any confrontation or to loose votes, or upset any high up families, or make themselves not be liked / popular... and the all time favourite... no loss of face!!

 

 

[Cadbury]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Northern haze must be on national agenda

Yes indeed, just like Bangkok haze and road safety are on the national agenda. Being on the national agenda means nothing except the usual tokenism and lip service from the mouths of politicians and senior bureaucrats. 

Nothing has yet been done to reduce the haze so why would being on a "national Agenda" make any difference. 

Looking at the maps Vietnam and China seem fairly fire free with the main culprits being Thailand, Laos and Myanmar; self deserved. 

 

[Prissana Pescud]

1 hour ago, jak2002003 said:

This is not quite accurate.  Farmers used to use buffalo and cows to plough the fields.. mixing the stubble back into the earth. No tractors back then!!!   Burning was to clear overgrown land and scrubland to convert to farmland.  Most of the burning is coming from forest fires here too.. which are so damaging to the ecosystems and native animals.. all for making money from black mushrooms.

 

The rotting stubble and buffalo dung in the fields acts as the fertilizer.  Burning the fields they loose a lot of nutrients as the ash is blown away in the wind.

 

Times have changed and these farmers, in general, are now LAZY to take proper care of their fields.  Burning is much easier and quicker then taking the time to hook up a buffalo or 2 and walk up and down ploughing.  Also the traditional, mixed, farms have mostly gone. 

 

The solution is easy.  Either they hire a tractor, hire a company to plough it (same as they all do with the rice harvesting machines). 

 

 

You have it wrong. You can only plough a field with buffalo when the ground is saturated with water.

And that means waiting for the rain season. And poor farmers cannot wait. They prepare the fields by burning.

And how many farmers do you see that own cattle or buffalo. You are out of date by decades. 

[piewarmer]

Today in CM the smoke is even worse, PM2.5 is over 500 at many monitoring stations. 

Hazardous is the highest in the scale starting at 300, they need a new name for our reading...any suggestions?

[dcnx]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

suffered mainly from fires in neighbouring countries. 

I honestly can’t stand this blatant lying year after year. Look at a ****** fire map you ignorant baboon. Thailand is 100% as guilt as everyone else, year after year, and especially right now.

 

This person can’t even acknowledge that Thais are also to blame and is suggesting something be done about it. Failure out of the gate.

 

One more reason Thais can’t accomplish anything and fail and everything.

 

 

[dcnx]

Fires right now. Go on with your neighbor theory....

[VocalNeal]

With all these images and 2.5 personal measuring devices to paraphase :

"People are using them like a drunk uses a lamppost? More for support than illumination"

 

Anyone who has lived or been in Thailand for more than a few months knows that it gets smokey in Chiang Mai at certain times of the year. So if one does not like smoke why are all the whingers living there.

It is like buying a house near an airport and then complaining about the noise!

[Prissana Pescud]

5 hours ago, canopy said:

Burning is a new practice that came with chemical farming. In the old days the buffalo would plow the stalks back into the soil for enrichment. EVERYTHING was organic! In today's modern chemical system the stalks are just a waste product and burned. Also in paddy farming back before our generation crabs and snake head fish were released for pest control and at harvest provided a good food source. Now pest control is done by poisons.

 

It's as if you are implying farmers are forced to burn or would be worse off if they didn't do it. This is not true. Burning is bad for farming. It depletes the soil and creates erosion of top soil. But nobody cares about that. They just add more chemical fertilizers which makes them more poor. Farmers burn because they enjoy it. Some people think there must be some deeper justification, but there isn't. Just like there is no reason to make motorcycles loud, but everyone just does it anyway. It's just a thing everyone gets enjoyment from. Who cares if it is illegal and health issue. Nobody cares.

 

You cannot plough the soil unless it is water saturated. And who owns buffalo these days.

And what poor rice paddy farmer can afford a tractor or the fuel. 

You prepare the soil by burning. This is a practice that has been used for millenia.

It is called agrarian agriculture. Because the land was only used to feed the populace, it caused minimal pollution.

But now, in global economics, a farmer has to produce more to exist

[sammieuk1]

Think this will be my last and worst burning season here if I can find the way out of town????  

[cmsally]

In the "old days" there wasn't the means to do extensive second (dry season) cropping. Farmers trapped in debt have hybrid seeds, fertiliser etc supplied. A bit of irrigation water and hey presto, second crop in order to keep themselves going. More money and earnings for the big guys.

"Small" problem in that the waste needs to be burned at the height of the dry season.

[Longcut]

Francesca Dominici, professor of biostatistics at Harvard’s school of public health, and a senior author on the paper, said in a statement. Though the study focuses on the US, its basic conclusion applies broadly: the “safe” levels laid out by national health agencies everywhere are inherently far from safe. “Any level of air pollution, no matter how low, is harmful to human health,” Dominici said.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

As of press time yesterday, the amount of PM2.5 in the North exceeded the safe limit of 50 micrograms (mcg) per cubic meter of air.  Here they are stating that the safe limit is 50 micrograms.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai has been topping the global list of the world’s most polluted city for a few hours every day since Tuesday. As of 1.49pm yesterday, it was the most polluted city. It’s Air Quality Index stood at 293, a far cry from the safe limit of 100.  Here they are stating the safe limit is 100.

 

Care to guess, which one Thailand is using?

 

 

[Odysseus123]

8 hours ago, YetAnother said:

those of us that live in chiang rai understand full well that china,laos,maynmar are killing us and there is nothing that thailand can do; prevailing breezes in most mornings comes from our northeast; the 3 countries mentioned

Those of you who live in northern Thailand (pick any province) know that your next door neighbour-in the fields near you-are killing you.

[Odysseus123]

1 hour ago, VocalNeal said:

With all these images and 2.5 personal measuring devices to paraphase :

"People are using them like a drunk uses a lamppost? More for support than illumination"

 

Anyone who has lived or been in Thailand for more than a few months knows that it gets smokey in Chiang Mai at certain times of the year. So if one does not like smoke why are all the whingers living there.

It is like buying a house near an airport and then complaining about the noise!

"smokey" eh?Another deluded real estate agent in Chiang Mai trying to flog condos.