Chiang Mai to declare PM2.5 crisis areas as disaster relief zones

[webfact]

 

Nirat Phongsitthithawon, the governor of Chiang Mai, announced that any area experiencing a PM2.5 dust pollution crisis of Level 2 or higher would be declared a disaster relief area, entitling it to emergency aid. He explained that a Level 2 crisis is declared when the average amount of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres exceeds 150 microgrammes per cubic metre for five consecutive days, following the guidelines set by the committee on air pollution management for sustainability.

 

The governor revealed that Chiang Mai is equipped with six air quality monitoring stations, three in Mueang district and one each in Chiang Dao, Hot, and Mae Chaem districts. Data indicates that the PM2.5 level exceeded the critical threshold for nine days from April 1 to April 9 in Chiang Dao.

 

He also mentioned that the Comptroller General’s Department is working on defining criteria and guidelines for declaring disaster relief areas. Once these are established, financial aid can be allocated to the affected areas.

To handle the haze problem, which stems from wildfires, agricultural practices, and vehicular and industrial emissions, several strategies are being implemented. These include closing 21 conservation forests to prevent wildfires and the anticipated closure of 25 national forest reserves.

Agricultural burning practices are being targeted through a strict no farm burning rule enforced by agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. Non-compliant farmers risk having their support from these agencies suspended.

 

In urban locales, transport authorities have been instructed to increase checks on vehicles emitting black smoke, and industrial work officials are being directed to inspect factories that release pollutants.

 

According to IQAir.com, Chiang Mai was ranked 11th yesterday for the worst air quality, with the province’s AQI hitting 156, significantly above the safe threshold of 100. Four districts in the province recorded unsafe levels of ultra-fine dust pollution: Doi Saket, Mueang District, San Sai, and Mae On, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of Panumate Tanraksa

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-11

 

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[Geoffggi]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

He also mentioned that the Comptroller General’s Department is working on defining criteria and guidelines for declaring disaster relief areas. Once these are established, financial aid can be allocated to the affected areas.

Followed by a public health warning for prospective visitors ?????

[spidermike007]

Both Chiang Mai and Bangkok are the New Beijing. They are now up there on the level of nearly hopeless, and both are true crisis zones. Nobody knows the extent of people with failing lungs, and respiratory issues.

 

This sits squarely on the tiny shoulders of Sretta, who is doing absolutely nothing. It appears to be quite the opposite he seems to be doing everything in his power to not hold sugar farmers and not hold Big Agra responsible for this. 

[vivananahuahin]

He will be fired, you cannot contradict the PM words.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

He explained that a Level 2 crisis is declared when the average amount of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres exceeds 150 microgrammes per cubic metre for five consecutive days, following the guidelines set by the committee on air pollution management for sustainability.

 

[ChaiyaTH]

Let me guess, they timed the news with a little bit rain coming, if the air then clears up exactly around the real songkran days, they will claim success from their own actions.

[trainman34014]

1 hour ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Let me guess, they timed the news with a little bit rain coming, if the air then clears up exactly around the real songkran days, they will claim success from their own actions.

Would you expect anything else from a Nation of Chestbeaters and Flag Wavers !

[PETERTHEEATER]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The governor revealed that Chiang Mai is equipped with six air quality monitoring stations,

Why has this been kept secret? 😋

[arithai12]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Both Chiang Mai and Bangkok are the New Beijing. They are now up there on the level of nearly hopeless, and both are true crisis zones. Nobody knows the extent of people with failing lungs, and respiratory issues.

 

This sits squarely on the tiny shoulders of Sretta, who is doing absolutely nothing. It appears to be quite the opposite he seems to be doing everything in his power to not hold sugar farmers and not hold Big Agra responsible for this. 

Perhaps you should inform yourself before posting. In CM province, the subject of this thread, the "big agra" and farm fires are close to zero. It is almost exclusively forest fires, and if you lived here you would know that local and central government have done more this year than in any year of the past decade. You would also know that firefighters have an almost impossible job due to the terrain, and are often confronted by angry local villagers when they try to apprehend the fire starters. They are true heroes, not just opinionated keyboard warriors like some on this forum.

[Elkski]

Good use of the military.   Why aren't they patrolling the Forests? Why not raise the penalty to severe or just pay to relocate these imbicile villagers who think its their right to burn to collect a few mushrooms.   I know some mushrooms fruit more after a fire, but is that the case or it just makes it easier to find these types?  Any of you expats who chose Thailands areas of poor air quality to retire,  and have to change your preferred activities due to air quality, need to reevaluate things. 

When the long term effects show up it will be to late.  Is easy oussy worth it?

Edited April 11 by Elkski

[ChaiyaTH]

15 hours ago, arithai12 said:

Perhaps you should inform yourself before posting. In CM province, the subject of this thread, the "big agra" and farm fires are close to zero. It is almost exclusively forest fires, and if you lived here you would know that local and central government have done more this year than in any year of the past decade. You would also know that firefighters have an almost impossible job due to the terrain, and are often confronted by angry local villagers when they try to apprehend the fire starters. They are true heroes, not just opinionated keyboard warriors like some on this forum.

''They did more than last year'' = Checking 0.001% locations instead of 0.0001%