Business as usual in Mae Sai district as residents struggle with dust and smoke

[webfact]

 

As PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai Province exceeded 710 microns this morning (Monday), it was business as usual for most residents, despite advice that they should stay indoors. Most were wearing face masks however.

 

One noodle vendor told a Thai PBS reporter that the smoke problem is particularly bad at night and most customers do not eat at her shop and choose the take-away option instead.

 

The main Phahonyothin road in the district was as busy as usual this morning, as people carried on with their business in a hazy atmosphere and poor visibility. The level of PM2.5 at 6am today was measured at 710 microns, while the hourly average level is 534 microns.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/business-as-usual-in-mae-sai-district-as-residents-struggle-with-dust-and-smoke/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-03-27

 

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[Will B Good]

Thank God it's being monitored closely.

[SoilSpoil]

With these numbers and knowing that at least 30,000 people die of this pollution per year, one would expect a state of emergency with army shooting arsonists on sight. 

[stoner]

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

Most were wearing face masks however.

unless it is a n95 mask it is completely useless in the fight against pm2.5. as we all know almost all of the masks worn are those cheap fabric do nothing ones. 

 

 

[JBChiangRai]

It's incredibly easy to stop farmers burning their fields by using AI on satellite images to identify the fields, and the army subsequently destroying any crops grown on any field that was burned earlier that year.

 

It just takes sufficient warning notice to the farmers and the will to carry it through.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

As PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai Province exceeded 710 microns this morning (Monday), it was business as usual for most residents, despite advice that they should stay indoors. Most were wearing face masks however.

Absolutely disgusting....

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Thank God it's being monitored closely.

And the safe PM2.5 level has been lowered for peoples safety.

[tomazbodner]

 

Hope anyone going there has health insurance... life assurance, so at least family members can benefit from traveler's demise.

Edited March 27, 2023 by tomazbodner

[mrfill]

If there's that much 'dust', perhaps people should stop sweeping their houses so vigorously.