Thailand puts cross-border air pollution on agenda for upcoming ASEAN summit

[snoop1130]

Chiang Mai smog. PHOTO: Flickr/Andrew and Annemarie

 

Thailand’s Foreign Minister says the issue of the cross-border haze currently plaguing much of the North will be discussed at an ASEAN summit next month. Don Pramudwinai was speaking ahead of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, which Indonesia will chair at Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur, from May 9 – 11.

 

The Bangkok Post reports that Don has confirmed the issue of cross-border air pollution will be on the agenda. His comments follow a virtual meeting attended by the leaders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos last week, during which the matter was also discussed. Don has described that meeting, which was hosted by Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, as a positive step in addressing the issue.

 

The Foreign Minister was also asked about the fact that residents in northern Thailand are now calling on his ministry to work with neighbouring countries to stop the annual burning. Don says this was also discussed at last week’s online meeting and that further talks on the issue will take place soon.

 

Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/thailand-puts-cross-border-air-pollution-on-agenda-for-upcoming-asean-summit/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-04-12

 

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[RandiRona]

Kettle calling pot black!

[Mr Derek]

I should think Burma and Laos are equally likely to complain at Thailand's cross-border pollution.

 

An article on Al Jazeera today tries to pin the blame in neo-Marxist fashion on contract farming, which "pressures farmers to maximise output":

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/how-chiang-mai-became-the-worlds-most-pollute

However, the farmers would surely aim to maximise output no matter what system was in use.

 

I think it should be one of the definitions of a third world country that they use slash-and-burn farming methods rather than using harvesters. In this sense, Thailand is still third-world. The stigma of the designation might compel the country to modernise. There's no solution other than investment and modernisation.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Mr Derek

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Don has described that meeting, which was hosted by Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, as a positive step in addressing the issue.

Just more hot air.

[koolkarl]

More talk down the road like the recent lawsuit.  Does nothing for right now.  NASA fire map shows that almost all of Thailand is on fire for a very long time.  What is the matter with these politicians?  Are they brain dead? And the Thai people have only 1 option that will work to stop this toxic tragedy now and forever.  What are you waiting for?

The world is quickly learning what a horrible environment exists in Thailand and I sincerely hope tourists never come here

for many years to teach these useless politicians a lesson they will never forget. They disgust me.

[statman78]

It’s on the agenda for next month.  Of course the issue may be gone by then if the rains come.

[mikebell]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

a positive step in addressing the issue.

Announced this morning in BP; 'the haze figures (AKA carcinogenic air) has fallen to just TREBLE the safe limit!'

[NoshowJones]

4 hours ago, koolkarl said:

More talk down the road like the recent lawsuit.  Does nothing for right now.  NASA fire map shows that almost all of Thailand is on fire for a very long time.  What is the matter with these politicians?  Are they brain dead? And the Thai people have only 1 option that will work to stop this toxic tragedy now and forever.  What are you waiting for?

The world is quickly learning what a horrible environment exists in Thailand and I sincerely hope tourists never come here

for many years to teach these useless politicians a lesson they will never forget. They disgust me.

"What is the matter with these politicians?" They are not all politicians, some of them are soldiers who don't have the brains to be brain dead.

Talking of soldiers, there was about 6 posters quite close together, at the side of the roads as me and Mrs Jones were driving past, they were all destroyed and torn down how I laughed    .

And who was the "politician" on the posters? It was the former sleeping partner of the unelected caretaker PM. ???????? ???? ???? ????.

[cncltd1973]

they should definitely agree on some rules and put them on paper, but as they are all offenders in the issue, it's just more hot air and posturing from the delegation. seems not to be a topic in the coming election too? if so, that seems incredibly suspicious since it is a dire problem that has solutions that nearly everyone can agree on. seems like a winning platform to run on...