Appeal for N95 face masks in smog hit Chiang Mai

[rooster59]

Appeal for N95 face masks in smog hit Chiang Mai

By Nisanart Kangwanwongse 
The Nation

 

Chiang Mai airport this morning.//Tanachai Pramarnpanich

 

Chiang Mai authority on Saturday appealed for urgent donations of N95-grade face masks as the air pollution in the province worsened. 

 

Deputy Governor Komsan Suwan-ampa made the appeal amid calls for the government to declare a state of emergency in this tourist province.

 

He said that about 1.4 million masks had been distributed to people so far. “However the air pollution caused by dangerous levels of PM2.5 is worsening and the masks people have may not be sufficient or have expired,” the deputy governor said. 

 

Komsan also said the worsening air pollution in Chiang Mai partly became more serious as a western wind is bringing dust and smog from Myanmar into the province.

Rescue workers with support from the army have been dispatched to handle bush fires, he said, adding a total of 23 cases of forest arson had been prosecuted since March 1.

 

His authority will act as a centre for donations and people can donate the N95-grade masks at the exhibition hall in the province. The public is also advised to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30366835

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-30

[scorecard]

Asking people to donate, I'm just shocked. 

 

This situation started weeks ago, why aren't the local / national authorities on top of distribution of enough masks for all, 2 weeks ago.

 

Totally derelict authorities, should have already been removed and immediately replaced by capable people. Should be charge also. 

[RotMahKid]

The highest Pollution is in Chiang Mai province, don't blame the other countries or the wind. Every body can use the maps and see reality.

Edited March 30, 2019 by RotMahKid

[arithai12]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

a total of 23 cases of forest arson had been prosecuted since March 1

If vaping ends you up in jail, I would be curious to know the penalty for the  arsonists.,, wait, I know.

 

[Krataiboy]

Since successive Thai administrations have failed to address this problem until it became impossible to solve, the Government should foot the bill for issuing free masks to all who need them - not just in Chiang Mai but also all the other cities choking in this killer smog.

 

If there's no money in the state coffers, maybe some of the millionaire cabinet members could make a charitable donation to a special mask fund. The sale of a couple of watches from one well-known general's wrist would probably raise enough to keep Chiang Mai supplied for the foreseeable.

 

 

[Thunder26]

1 hour ago, RotMahKid said:

The highest Pollution is in Chiang Mai province, don't blame the other countries or the wind. Every body can use the maps and see reality.

That's true. I've noticed in Thai culture they like blaming on everyone or everything except themselves. 

[bdenner]

Blind Freddy can see where the pollution (smoke) is generated. I flew out of Don Muang Friday and sitting in a window seat counting 4 VERY smokey paddock fires, well within the city boundaries (the flaps of the plane hadn't been fully raised).

 

Why the heXX can't they use these "BS" rain making aircraft to spot fires in Chaing Mai, Bangkok and all places in between and have em put out?

[just bob]

Hey Governor, karma is a bitch.  Watch as the tourist industry implodes and the wealthy hotel and business owners come for you.  Watch as the hospitals implode financially from the cost of treating lung disease.  But watch especially for the karma of being responsible for harming so many others.

 

 

 

[WeekendRaider]

58 minutes ago, bdenner said:

Blind Freddy can see where the pollution (smoke) is generated. I flew out of Don Muang Friday and sitting in a window seat counting 4 VERY smokey paddock fires, well within the city boundaries (the flaps of the plane hadn't been fully raised).

 

Why the heXX can't they use these "BS" rain making aircraft to spot fires in Chaing Mai, Bangkok and all places in between and have em put out?

 

there are many folks involved, which may remind us of a much more powerful emission... of what we can't see or smell at all yet accounts for all of our food, not just rice paddy stuff, as well as the air we breath and why we left the trees 8 mya.  and also involves many people.   and much more dangerous than this stuff.   the "Plant Food" stuff according to various girlie men.  

Edited March 30, 2019 by WeekendRaider

[mike787]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

Asking people to donate, I'm just shocked. 

 

This situation started weeks ago, why aren't the local / national authorities on top of distribution of enough masks for all, 2 weeks ago.

 

Totally derelict authorities, should have already been removed and immediately replaced by capable people. Should be charge also. 

This started decades ago...look at history!  It is NOT a new phenomenon.

[NCC1701A]

Thai people are gutless. what is it going to take?

[scorecard]

2 minutes ago, mike787 said:

This started decades ago...look at history!  It is NOT a new phenomenon.

Sure, I'm well aware of that, I repeat my comment: 

 

Asking people to donate, I'm just shocked. 

 

This situation started weeks ago, why aren't the local / national authorities on top of distribution of enough masks for all, 2 weeks ago.

 

Totally derelict authorities, should have already been removed and immediately replaced by capable people. Should be charge also. 

[CeeGee]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

western wind is bringing dust and smog from Myanmar into the province.

See it is not Thai,its those dirty people in Myanmar.We are clean,not our fault.

Can you smell BS in the air?

[connda]

Let me be the bad guy and state to obvious.

 

This is a yearly problem that occurs at literally the same time every year and for the same reasons.

Now - if N95 masks are needed because the government is utterly incompetent in apprehending and prosecuting those who are committing arson, who is to blame?  One more time -- This happens every year.  Every single year!!!  So, tell me you're surprised and taken unaware Khun Thai government official and average citizen - and I'll simply call you on your total BS. 
Fix the problem and stop the damn excuses!   And you could have ordered ample masks last year after the last PM2.5 killer smog attacks when the supply was plentiful - but did you.  If you did - this wouldn't be an issue.  So the answer is: "No, you didn't."
The blame for this issue lays from the average citizen burning in the backyard nightly, to the average citizen burning their fields, to the not quite average citizens committing arson by setting the forests on fires so they collect mushroom as well as all they people who know who is committing these acts of arson because they want to pick mushrooms too but won't snitch on the arsonists, to the unregulated cane field and ag burning, to the government who will simply not enforce stringent regulations on diesel immissions in cars, trucks, and buses by taking these vehicles off the road permanently , but instead simply fining them and letting them go to pollute ad-infinitum.  Then I hear: Thailand isn't the problem!!!! It's Cambodia, and Laos, and Myanmar, and blah, blah blah.  So let me think.  You have something called ASEAN, right.  So try doing something other then finger pointing and making excuses. You - are - all - culpable!

The problem can be solved, but there is no will to do so, just like solving the carnage on Thai roads.
When the rain come -kick it to next year; when a holiday is finished - kick it to the next holiday. Spew hot air and do nothing.  Whatever.
 

[connda]

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Komsan also said the worsening air pollution in Chiang Mai partly became more serious as a western wind is bringing dust and smog from Myanmar into the province.

Tried and true method of saving face -- blame foreigners. 

[connda]

32 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Sure, I'm well aware of that, I repeat my comment: 

 

Asking people to donate, I'm just shocked. 

 

This situation started weeks ago, why aren't the local / national authorities on top of distribution of enough masks for all, 2 weeks ago.

 

Totally derelict authorities, should have already been removed and immediately replaced by capable people. Should be charge also. 

The little people scraping by on 10k or 15k THB must be urged to donate - it's their civic duty;
Those with multi-million THB watches can't be bothered.  Gotta make arrangement for the China Formula 1 Shanghai International Circuit and don't have time to worry about the suffocating Thai peasants.

[HuskerDo]

On 3/30/2019 at 6:38 AM, NCC1701A said:

Thai people are gutless. what is it going to take?

WOW! Nice statement. Another person that just can't help trashing the Thai's. Maybe they could do things better. Maybe your homeland could too. Maybe if they had been as perfect as you desire you would never have left your homeland yet you did. Only to end up in another country that just doesn't do things as perfect as you and others desire. So sad. Too bad. I'm quite sure there are airlines that will take you back to your homeland. If you don't like that thought then maybe you should try to be more pleasant towards the people whose country you have chosen to spend you life. It's always easy to criticize. Try getting involved in a solution to the pollution issue rather than just complaining and calling others gutless.

[tifino]

one of those 'if you cannot beat them, then join them moments! 

 

 CM ; the perfect place for thai television to host  'TheMask' song reality programme.

Well it might save face. but not the lungs...

[Pravda]

Giving free N95 masks is the absolute minimum the government should provide. Like this should be absolutely normal, non event. Something most third world governments would do without much fuss.

 

Just imagine if there ever is a water shortage in this country.

 

 

[HuskerDo]

On 3/31/2019 at 8:29 PM, Pravda said:

Giving free N95 masks is the absolute minimum the government should provide. Like this should be absolutely normal, non event. Something most third world governments would do without much fuss.

 

Just imagine if there ever is a water shortage in this country.

 

 

You are quite welcome to try to help solve the issue rather than just sit on a msg board and complain about it. Oh, but wait, that would take effort. Hmmm, I guess just blaming others is your best contribution and option. So sad. 

[ZeVonderBearz]

18 hours ago, HuskerDo said:

You are quite welcome to try to help solve the issue rather than just sit on a msg board and complain about it. Oh, but wait, that would take effort. Hmmm, I guess just blaming others is your best contribution and option. So sad. 

Who blew sand up your front bottom? 

Edited April 7, 2019 by ZeVonderBearz

[Banana7]

The government should simple buy the N95 masks and distribute a few to each person for free. Why are they asking for donations? There is lots of money and lots of masks for sale.

 

 

 

 

[Sealbash]

The little people scraping by on 10k or 15k THB must be urged to donate - it's their civic duty;
Those with multi-million THB watches can't be bothered.  Gotta make arrangement for the China Formula 1 Shanghai International Circuit and don't have time to worry about the suffocating Thai peasants.

Isn’t it the little people scraping by on 10k or 15k who are burning fields, trash, etc?


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[banagan]

How pathetic, asking the people to donate masks! 

 

At the very least, free N95 masks for everyone. They should be handing them out at the airport with an apology.

[HuskerDo]

On 3/31/2019 at 8:29 PM, Pravda said:

Giving free N95 masks is the absolute minimum the government should provide. Like this should be absolutely normal, non event. Something most third world governments would do without much fuss.

 

Just imagine if there ever is a water shortage in this country.

 

 

That would mean a LOT of toilets that wouldn't/couldn't be flushed. WOW! That would be FAR worse than the air pollution.