Minister launches emergency plan as deadly dust chokes Thailand

[Rinato]

In many places in Thailand there isn't a garbage collection service, specially rural areas. 

Everyone burns daily garbage in front of the house early morning or in the evening.

Sometimes the stench is unbearable.

[Highball]

23 hours ago, Gknrd said:

I don't see how anyone can live there. Especially older retiree's.

 

I live and enjoy what the city has to offer as opposed to the hinterlands, the Nakon Nowhere's so full and boring Pattaya prostitutes would rather stay on in Pattaya than return to their moo bahn. Countless villages and small 'cities' are ghost towns as they have for decades nothing to offer financially or otherwise.

 

I wonder how all of you live in the boonies especially if you're in an area that sees perpetual burning. While I've always seen Chaing Mai as a big nothing, the annual burning alone makes me question the sanity of anyone living there. It seems to be driven by those that are the most financially retarded among us.

 

BKK has best medical care. Outside of CM and KK universities it's a wasteland of malpractice.

 

I'm 60+, reasonably fit. My wife 48. Putting aside respiratory we cannot see - we have zero health physical issues due to the pollution. Our windows are open enjoying the cool days and evenings.

 

Of course, if you live in farangville you're riding BTS and standing on open platforms.

 

When my wife retires we will move south for some years, but the rest of country has zero appeal.

 

I'd backpacked for years around rural Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao and Myanmar lest anyone think I'm soft. Provs are deadly boring, lacking so much that is easily obtained in the city of Oz.

 

Can't imagine being dumb enough to live upcountry with this perpetual burning.

 

Every year this occurs and every year the current PM makes some innane comment and absolutely nothing is done.

 

Seems to me all that organic material would make great biofuel.

 

If I had health issues I would move. No one to blame but yourselves as this will never change. The wealthy/ powerful living in BKK villas with AC 24/7 while you're upcountry breathing their pollution 555

[Highball]

On 1/10/2025 at 6:13 PM, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of NIDA

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Thailand Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin issued an urgent response to soaring PM 2.5 air pollution levels, which have breached safety thresholds in 14 provinces, threatening public health.

 

Chairing an emergency meeting yesterday, January 9, Somsak revealed a series of measures to combat the crisis, which has affected 53 provinces since October last year and is expected to persist until January 15.

 

“Prolonged exposure to PM 2.5 can cause severe respiratory, cardiovascular, and cancer-related illnesses. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions, face the highest risks.”

 

To protect affected communities, the ministry has established 4,700 dust-free rooms across 56 provinces, including public health facilities, schools, offices, and restaurants. Additionally, 1,338 anti-dust nets have been distributed to bedridden patients and homebound individuals. Face masks and dust nets will be provided to at-risk groups, including outdoor workers and volunteers.

 

 

A multi-faceted approach has been rolled out:

 

• Health screenings: Teams are conducting proactive screenings for respiratory, cardiovascular, and skin conditions in high-risk areas.
• Awareness campaigns: Digital tools and media are being used to alert the public, particularly high-risk groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
• Work-from-home policies: Vulnerable groups are urged to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors during peak pollution hours.
• Medical support: Emergency health teams are being deployed to assist hard-hit communities.

 

The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has been upgraded to coordinate a swift response. Residents are urged to monitor PM 2.5 levels, wear protective masks, and seek medical help for symptoms like persistent coughing or chest pain, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-10

 

 

For the record all these measures only treat symptoms. Unless I missed it - no mention of the government stepping in to mitigate and arrest the pollution.

 

I wasn't happy when Move Fwd was sidelined, but ok .. I'm no yellow shirt fan, but this government is thus far full of promises and delivering nothing but cash handouts in what would be seen in west as vote buying.

 

Protecting a nation's people is first order of government. If it cannot do that ... well ..

[actonion]

The local Pattaya Government's answer to the dust problem last year was to hose a few South Pattaya Streets with a water Truck !!!

[kiwikeith]

On 1/10/2025 at 6:43 PM, BarBoy said:

......what the hell have I just read?????

I was wondering 

[DonniePeverley]

Can anyone clarify what exactly they are going to do ?

 

 I am utterly confused. 

[bristolgeoff]

The burning season will start soon and this will not change.

[spidermike007]

How long have you lived here? How often have we seen promises like this? These administrations are infamous for pledges, declarations, proclamations and promises. Few are even remembered, much less followed up upon two weeks later.

 

Feel free to cite some environmental promises that were followed up on, if you can. Otherwise, we are discussing a staggering level of incompetence and indifference toward their land, water and the common man. 

 

There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose-

 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land.

The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

[MikeandDow]

57 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

How long have you lived here? How often have we seen promises like this? These administrations are infamous for pledges, declarations, proclamations and promises. Few are even remembered, much less followed up upon two weeks later.

 

Feel free to cite some environmental promises that were followed up on, if you can. Otherwise, we are discussing a staggering level of incompetence and indifference toward their land, water and the common man. 

 

There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose-

 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land.

The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

Yes Totally agree,  BUT ,!!!  Who is going to Enforce this, ?? This as you know, is one of the biggest poblems inThailand, There is NO enforcement !!! of any Law's.

[Will B Good]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

How long have you lived here? How often have we seen promises like this? These administrations are infamous for pledges, declarations, proclamations and promises. Few are even remembered, much less followed up upon two weeks later.

 

Feel free to cite some environmental promises that were followed up on, if you can. Otherwise, we are discussing a staggering level of incompetence and indifference toward their land, water and the common man. 

 

There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose-

 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land.

The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

 

Progressive reform on burning - green harvesting

https://youtu.be/thXstqQcdQ4?si=yExPfXaED66a4vyP

 

We have (as an extended family) about 200 acres…..mostly sugarcane……the leaves will all be burned this year, next year and the year after……no one is going to fine anyone for burning or stop anyone from burning. The leaves have to be burned for one single reason……’we' need to now where to ‘plant’ the shears for ploughing.

 

The only solution I can see is that sugarcane must be delivered with the leaves intact and the sugarcane processors must forced, paid, induced, bribed by the government to remove the leaves at the factory and mulch them.

[lordgrinz]

On 1/11/2025 at 10:40 AM, catch104 said:

That cannot possibly be all??? where's the main part of the 20 pages short term and long term plan??

 

 

That's easy!

 

Short Term Plan: Do nothing.

Long Term Plan: Wait until burning season is over, and forget it about until next year.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Yes Totally agree,  BUT ,!!!  Who is going to Enforce this, ?? This as you know, is one of the biggest poblems inThailand, There is NO enforcement !!! of any Law's.

That's a very good point and it certainly gets right to the heart of so many issues that plague this nation. When the Army took over 10 years ago they promised that they would begin enforcement, they raided Samui with 100 soldiers and promise that they would reform the taxi mafia. That lasted about 2 weeks. Every single proclamation, promise and  declaration lasts about 2 weeks here and then it's completely forgotten. 

 

There seems to be absolutely no will to improve the country and make it a better place. 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

We have (as an extended family) about 200 acres…..mostly sugarcane……the leaves will all be burned this year, next year and the year after……no one is going to fine anyone for burning or stop anyone from burning. The leaves have to be burned for one single reason……’we' need to now where to ‘plant’ the shears for ploughing.

 

The only solution I can see is that sugarcane must be delivered with the leaves intact and the sugarcane processors must forced, paid, induced, bribed by the government to remove the leaves at the factory and mulch them.

That's a good point, the refiners are the ones who have to be penalized and if there was ever anyone in this government who was serious about cleaning up the air they would need to wage battle against their oligarch friends. 

[MikeandDow]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

That's a very good point and it certainly gets right to the heart of so many issues that plague this nation. When the Army took over 10 years ago they promised that they would begin enforcement, they raided Samui with 100 soldiers and promise that they would reform the taxi mafia. That lasted about 2 weeks. Every single proclamation, promise and  declaration lasts about 2 weeks here and then it's completely forgotten. 

 

There seems to be absolutely no will to improve the country and make it a better place. 

"There seems to be absolutely no will to improve the country and make it a better place. "

yep nailed it !!!

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

We have (as an extended family) about 200 acres…..mostly sugarcane……the leaves will all be burned this year, next year and the year after……no one is going to fine anyone for burning or stop anyone from burning. The leaves have to be burned for one single reason……’we' need to now where to ‘plant’ the shears for ploughing.

 

The only solution I can see is that sugarcane must be delivered with the leaves intact and the sugarcane processors must forced, paid, induced, bribed by the government to remove the leaves at the factory and mulch them.

I didn't know you were a polluter, I'll have to look for your post whenever climate change is raised

[KireB]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

We have (as an extended family) about 200 acres…..mostly sugarcane……the leaves will all be burned this year, next year and the year after……no one is going to fine anyone for burning or stop anyone from burning. The leaves have to be burned for one single reason……’we' need to now where to ‘plant’ the shears for ploughing.

 

The only solution I can see is that sugarcane must be delivered with the leaves intact and the sugarcane processors must forced, paid, induced, bribed by the government to remove the leaves at the factory and mulch them.

So and your extended foamily you are responsible for the deaths of 1000's of people,, The only solution seems to be to taser farmers, like your extended family, on the spot and confiscate their and your land. 

[MikeandDow]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

We have (as an extended family) about 200 acres…..mostly sugarcane……the leaves will all be burned this year, next year and the year after……no one is going to fine anyone for burning or stop anyone from burning. The leaves have to be burned for one single reason……’we' need to now where to ‘plant’ the shears for ploughing.

 

The only solution I can see is that sugarcane must be delivered with the leaves intact and the sugarcane processors must forced, paid, induced, bribed by the government to remove the leaves at the factory and mulch them.

I think That is One part of the problem, Burning of rubish, burning of the road side. burning of rice subble ect !! The goverment is doing nothing to bring the farmers out of the "1800" farming method's into the 21st century, 

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, KireB said:

So and your extended foamily you are responsible for the deaths of 1000's of people,, The only solution seems to be to taser farmers, like your extended family, on the spot and confiscate their and your land. 

 

Could not argue with that……if you can stand the foul taste of sweeteners…..555

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

I didn't know you were a polluter, I'll have to look for your post whenever climate change is raised

 

Yes….pretty big damn one in these parts….55

[KireB]

13 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Could not argue with that……if you can stand the foul taste of sweeteners…..555

That's a great answer. Lol