Millions Allocated to Combat Forest Fires in the North

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has announced a financial commitment of 272.65 million baht from its central emergency fund to combat forest fires and address the escalating issue of high PM2.5 levels. The decision, made on Sunday (Mar 17), comes amid criticism from opposition MPs regarding the insufficiency of personnel allocated for fire-fighting efforts in the nation's forests.

 

Critics pointed out that the approximately 1,800 rangers tasked with overseeing over 9 million rai of protected and national forests in Chiang Mai are overwhelmed, especially during the dry season when forest fires are most prevalent. The fires, often started by villagers to encourage the growth of mushrooms and other edible plants for sale, pose a significant threat to forest conservation efforts.

 

In response, Deputy Government Spokesperson Kenikar Oonjit explained that while the number of rangers might be sufficient under normal conditions, the dry season requires additional resources. To this end, the funds will be used to employ villagers to assist in monitoring and preventing forest fires. The allocation will be divided between the Forestry Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, with 109.946 million baht and 162.7 million baht allotted to each department, respectively.

 

Kenikar added that the initiative is part of the government's broader strategy, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, to tackle air pollution, particularly PM2.5 particles, not only in Chiang Mai but across all 17 northern provinces of Thailand.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-03-18

 

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[Thailand]

Massive fines for the arsonists, jail time as required.

Fire monitors of some sort. Rewards for information on arsonists.

 

Anything to add? 

[worgeordie]

Once again spending money to put fires out , what about preventing them from happening in

the first place ,one thing Thailand is not is Proactive , just rush to sort things out after they have happened. 

 1,800 rangers ,add police and army ,well they are not very busy at moment , give them some drones ,set

up road blocks , just be in the areas to be a deterrent ,make it illegal for villagers to be in the forests at this

time of year ,  

In another story on here  4 years and a big fine for having a sea fan , set the place ablaze ,affect peoples

health you get what ? been so few caught and you never hear what sentence they get

 

regards worgeordie

[stoner]

49 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Massive fines for the arsonists, jail time as required.

Fire monitors of some sort. Rewards for information on arsonists.

 

Anything to add? 

 

yes. actually follow through with these wonderful ideas. 

[ChrisY1]

Thai governments are forever wasting money...well, maybe it's not entirely wasted...the design is for much of this money to be stolen....

Another important pollution challenge, which won't be stopped, regardless the governments deadline,  is this : https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20240318-world-recycling-day-thailand-drowning-in-foreign-plastic-waste

[nobodysfriend]

Thaksin has just arrived in CM .

His health is in danger !!!

May be now something changes ...?

[hotchilli]

50 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

Thaksin has just arrived in CM .

His health is in danger !!!

May be now something changes ...?

I wouldn't bet on it...

[rudi49jr]

If I were the Thai government, I’d start investing in education, trying to change the mindset of the vast majority of people. Because right now, there’s too much ignorance, too much indifference and (way) too much selfishness. Most people just don’t give a damn.

But I don’t see that happening any time soon. Educating the people is dangerous as far as the elite is concerned, and as long as they call the shots, nothing much is going to change.