Chiang Mai And Mae Hong Son Declared Diaster Zones

[george]

Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son declared diaster zones

CHIANG MAI: -- Social Development and Human Securities on Monday declared Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son as disaster zone after air quality in the areas which were blanketed with thick smog was worse.

Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham said that the decision was made in a meeting in which Pollution Control Department reported that the air quality in these two provinces was worsened by the smoke caused by fire.

The provinces have increasing number of people being sick after inhaling the air.

The ministry will ask cooperation from the army to use helicopter to survey locations where there were still fires in order to minimise the smoke.

"At present, number of people being treated after inhaling the smoke in Mae Hong Song climbed up from 416 to 3,541. In Chiang Mai number of patients caused by the poor quality of air increased from 1,370 to 4,514," the minister said.

-- The Nation 2007-03-19

[cloudhopper]

Haven't seen any helicopters aound Pai, just the SGA flight feeling it's way in for a landing when the smoke clears enough in the afternoon to pretend it's VFR...

[Jai Dee]

Micro dust increases in Mae Hong Son

Chief of the Environment Division of the Mae Hong Son Province, Pramin Wattanawari (ประมินทร์ วัฒนวารี) reports that the amount of micro dust or PM-10 dust has increased to 284 micrograms per cubic meters. The Air Quality Index is measured at 171.

On March 17th, the amount of PM-10 dust is measured at 240 micrograms per cubic meter and on March 18th 278 micrograms per cubic meters. People compromise their health when exposing to these amounts of dust.

Mr Pramin affirms that officials of all relevant units do their utmost to control the smoke situation in the province. He encourages the residents to help monitor the situation by alerting the authority of man made fires during this period. Those who set fires without asking for the authority’s permission will face punishments.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[Rinrada]

Time to get out those rain making tablets and chuck a few over Doi S.......kof koff....

[Jai Dee]

Emergency disaster area declaration benefits disaster-affected people

Minister of Social Development and Human Security says the declaration of emergency disaster area can accelerate the disbursement of budget for disaster-affected people.

Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces were earlier declared as emergency disaster areas as they have been hard hit by smog for more than a month.

Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Paiboon Wattanasiritham (ไพบูลย์ วัฒนศิริธรรม) says further that the government gave a mandate to provincial officials to find solutions to the smog problem. The provincial officials have a better knowledge about what the residents need than the central officials, he explains.

The ministry has called for hospitals in the emergency disaster areas to do their utmost to treat those ill by the smog and distribute face masks. The residents have been encouraged to help the authority prevent man-made forest fires. As for artificial rain making, Mr Paiboon says it has yet been successful due to weather condition. However, he believes that the spraying of water into the atmosphere will help improve the smog situation.

Mr Paiboon adds that after the smog has been controlled, the government will outline long-term preventive measures on natural disaster, including drought and flooding.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

TAT hopes smog will be reduced before Songkran

The Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mr. Surapol Sawetseranee (สุรพล เศวตเศรนี), says some tourists have cancelled their hotel reservations in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son due to the current smog situation.

The government has declared both provinces as natural disaster areas. Mr. Surapol says the TAT is waiting for relevant agencies to solve this problem before it will report the actual situation to the tourists. He says the TAT is still hoping that the smog situation in the North will be solved before the Songkran Festival arrives.

He says the smog is not caused by nature, and if the cause can be stopped, the tourism industry will then return to normal.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Director of Personal Affairs Division of HM the King assessed air condition in Chiang Mai

Mr. Somchai Ruengsuthinaruparb, the Director of the Artificial Rainmaking Center for the Upper North, says the Director of His Majesty the King's Personal Affairs Division visited Chiang Mai yesterday (Mar 19) to assess the air condition of the province.

Mr. Somchai says His Majesty the King has given an order for a special rainmaking center to be established in Chiang Mai until the smog situation improves. He says a team of officials and five aircrafts will join this center, with an aim to improve the efficiency of artificial rainmaking operation.

He says the humidity level in the North is still in a satisfactory level, and there is no need for the officials to spray water in the sky. However, he says the center will continue to implement the artificial rainmaking operation. He also expects rainfall will take place this week.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Mae Hong Son establishes smog mitigation center

Mae Hong Son province has established smog mitigation centers in response to the smog situation over the northern region.

The Governor of Mae Hong Son, Mr. Direk Kornkreeb (ดิเรก ก้อนกลีบ), revealed that the government has declared the province to be a smog disaster area. Mr. Direk said that in order to alleviate the situation and reduce smog in local areas, he has instructed District Chief Officers in all 7 districts of the province to cooperate with local administration organizations, Kamnans (กำนัน), and village headmen in establishing smog mitigation centers.

The Mae Hong Son Governor said that fire equipment and 24 hour observation by personnel would be prepared. Mr. Direk added that legal charges would be brought against property owners who allowed forest fires to occur, with their property subjected to seizure by the state.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Mae Hong Son calls for residents to throw water up into the air

Mae Hong Son Governor Direk Konkleeb (ดิเรก ก้อนกลีบ) spoke via radio broadcast in the province, calling for state officials and residents to spray water on roads and rooftops. He also encourages them to splash at least ten bowls of water up into the air during 13.00-15.00 hrs everyday until the smog situation has improved. The splash of water can increase moisture in the atmosphere and reduce the smog.

Meanwhile, Md.Suwat Kittidilokkul (สุวัฒน์ กิตติดิลกกุล) says the amount of PM-10 dust and the air pollution in the province are still unsafe for people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[sbk]

Mae Hong Son calls for residents to throw water up into the air

He also encourages them to splash at least ten bowls of water up into the air during 13.00-15.00 hrs everyday until the smog situation has improved. The splash of water can increase moisture in the atmosphere and reduce the smog.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

How high can people possibly splash a bowl of water to make any kind of difference?

But thanks for the giggle anyway, JaiDee

[Jai Dee]

Mae Hong Son calls for residents to throw water up into the air

He also encourages them to splash at least ten bowls of water up into the air during 13.00-15.00 hrs everyday until the smog situation has improved. The splash of water can increase moisture in the atmosphere and reduce the smog.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

How high can people possibly splash a bowl of water to make any kind of difference?

But thanks for the giggle anyway, JaiDee

I was wondering who'd be the first to comment on that... maybe an early Songkran up north this year hey?

[Jai Dee]

HM the King expresses his concern over the wild forest fire in the northern region

His Majesty the King has expressed his concern over the wild forest fire in the northern region, while urging the royal rain making operation to extinguish the fire and reduce the amount of smog.

His Majesty the King has issued royal designation to set up the northern royal rain making center as the special center, which is able to mobilize forces from His agencies, including His airplanes to perform the rain making.

The result of the royal rain marking will be reported in real time to the Royal Rain Making Operation Center at Hua Hin (หัวหิน).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[TLloyd]

The Royal Rainmaking Operations Center ????

A better idea would be to collect aerial fire fighting equipment from all over Asia to come in and extinguish ALL the fires. That & the predicted rain to come would be the only way to clear the air.

After just returning from 3 weeks in the North, I must admit I was confused by the lack of concern of the local fire departments. On the way back from Mae Hong Son, I witnessed no less than 8 fires all burning within close proximity to the road, and not 5 minutes later passed a fire station with all trucks parked under the shed and no one in sight. The only fire fighting effort I ever saw was a group of children in front of their school, pouring water on the bushes out front, as a fire burned across the street (?) Only in Thailand.

[Jai Dee]

Health-challenging haze improving in North

Airborne dust particle levels in the northern province of Chiang Mai have increased due to continuing outdoor burning, but artificial rain-making has yielded lower particulate levels in targeted areas.

A special artificial rain-making unit continued its operations on Friday.

Six aircraft flew repeated mission Friday on cloud-seeding operations, with more than 10 flights daily across the upper north to reduce smoke pollution and to fight drought.

The artificial rain-making mission contributed to scattered rain in northern provinces.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai environmenal official Puchong Insomphan said forest fires were occurring in some remote areas but fire fighters have not been able to control them due to difficulty of access.

Local officials were ordered to be on alert and to warn residents to avoid open-air burning.

The dust particle level as monitored at the provincial government office has risen from an earlier measured, but particle level is still lower than the standard at 120 microgrammes per cubic metre.

However, the Pollution Control Department announced that the level of dust particles in Mae Hong Son was measured at 150 microgrammes per cubic metre, higher than the standard level and that public health may be at risk.

Local residents have been asked to refrain from burning anything and to avoid other outdoor activities, children, elderly and patients with respiratory problem in particular.

In Lampang and Chiang Rai provinces, the dust particle levels are still within acceptable limits, officials said.

Source: TNA - 23 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Chiang Mai lifts emergency smog decree

Chiang Mai has lifted emergency smog decree throughout the province following improvements in air conditions.

Chiang Mai Governor Wichai Sri-khwan (วิชัย ศรีขวัญ) conducted a press conference to report rapidly improving air conditions throughout the province, and a subsequent lifting of the emergency smog decree. Mr. Wichai said that dust particle concentrations in Chiang Mai have returned to normal due to the Royal Assistance of His Majesty the King in instructing officials to conduct Royal Rainmaking operations. Cooperation from the public and private sector is also responsible for helping stabilize the situation.

The Chiang Mai Governor hopes that air condition improvements will reassure tourists of the safety of the province during Songkran festivals. Officials will be continuing short and long term smog control measures, especially the reduction of weed burning. Mr. Wichai said officials would also be promoting the usage of fermented fertilizer, which may be stored in the communal storage of villages.

The Chiang Mai Provincial Administration will also be providing knowledge to communities on how to properly dispose of forest debris, in addition to sending garbage trucks to pick up excess waste.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 March 2007

[drenoi]

Why?? It's still really really bad!

[Jai Dee]

Mae Hong Son vows legal action against fire setters

The Mae Hong Son Governor vows to take legal actions against those who set fires in forest, while a negotiation with Myanmar on the smog situation still cannot be initiated due to the ongoing protest of Thai people against Myanmar.

Mae Hong Son Governor Direk Konkleeb (ดิเรก ก้อนกลีบ) says the smog situation in the Muang and Khun Yuam (ขุนยวม) districts still posed a threat to local residents’ health. However, the severity of local air pollution has decreased significantly. Mr. Direk has instructed officials to patrol forest areas in the province to make sure residents do not set fires there.

The province also erected signs prohibiting the residents from entering forest areas to do agriculture. Those who violate the ban will face immediate legal charges. If the violators are in the authority’s list of arable land holders, their name will be erased from the list, he adds.

As for a negotiation with Myanmar on the smog situation, the governor said it is inappropriate to take place during this period due to a protest against Myanmar. A group of Thai people have staged a rally against Myanmar whose tribal soldiers attacked the Thai border, causing Thai rangers dead. Some of them were taken hostage.

The governor says he believes that the smog situation will be improved within the next few weeks. Face masks have been thoroughly distributed to the residents. No critical patient affected by the smog has been reported. There are only patients with irritation in the respiratory system.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2007

[Mid]

Despite tourism worries, haze crackdown ordered

By Post Reporters, TNA

Provincial governors have refused to declare their provinces disaster zones again for fear this will affect Songkran festival tourism. But the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation are to give northern farmers an ultimatum: Stop "mobile farming", the polite term for slash-and-burn - or face legal action.

Chiang Mai governor Wichai Srikwan said the dust is a minor problem and it can be brought under control.

Thick smog set in on Sunday - two days after the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai governors lifted their disaster zone status.

The Pollution Control Department yesterday instructed people in the North, particularly those with respiratory problems and the elderly, to avoid outdoor activities.

all hail the mighty $ ....................

[Jai Dee]

Mae Hong Son DPM still unsure when the smog situation will be resolved

Mae Hong Son Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM) says the office still cannot indicate when the smog situation in the province will be resolved. The Mae Hong Son Province is continuously publicizing effects of forest fires via all forms of media.

Chief of the Mae Hong Son DPM, Khamsan Suwanampha (คำสันต์ สุวรรณอำภา) reveals that the latest amount of dust in the atmosphere is measured at 165 micrograms per cubic meters. The visibility has been improved and commercial planes can now land in the province.

Asked when the situation will return to normal, Mr Khamsan says he cannot tell as the smog is caused by many factors, including smog blowing from neighboring countries. The government and the Mae Hong Son Province have called for cooperation from them to control forest fires in their countries. If the forest fires have been reduced, the smog situation in the province might be improved, he adds.

Mr Khamsan says further that the province has distributed face masks to the residents and encouraged them to avoid exercising outdoors. Most of the residents understand the situation and show good cooperation with the authority.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Exceeding level of dust particles in the North

The Department of Pollution Control says level of dust particles in the northern provinces of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Mae Hong Son is still higher than standard and it is hazardous to public health.

The Pollution Control Department is asking the public to stop burning materials such as waste disposals, grasses, agricultural items, and farmlands in opened space or next to the streets. People can also report fire disasters to the department immediately so officials can extinguish the fire on time.

The department asks people to avoid doing outdoor activities such as exercising outside the buildings. Public members, particularly children, elders and people with respiratory symptoms, are advised to wear health masks to protect them from dust particles. Meanwhile, the air situation in Lampang has returned to normal.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 March 2007