Govt on alert to deal with forest fires

BANGKOK: -- The Thai cabinet has been reported on the Ministry Natural Resources and Environment's plans to deal with forest fires during the current drought.

Under the plans, a forest fire prevention network had been set up across the country which involves local residents, the Government Spokesman, Jakrapob Penkair, told TNA on Tuesday after the cabinet's weekly meeting here.

Volunteer fire fighters and monitors have been given training under the programme to improve the country’s ability to deal with the forest fires.

The government also plans to speed up the decentralisation of decision-makings to make sure that local authorities can effectively deal with the forest fires.

The cabinet also approved the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s strategic plans to deal with the forest fires in 2005.

Between October 2004 and Feburary 2005, wild fires destroyed more than 80,000 rai of forest areas, said Mr. Jakrapob.

Earlier, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra promised to take tough action against anyone who started forest fires.

The premier said the issue had been a concern of Her Majesty the Queen.

Severe drought over the past few months has increased fears of forest fires and water shortages, especially in the Thailand’s rural northern and northeastern areas.

--TNA 2005-03-09

We're I live theres nothing left to burn, the locals have already set fire to it all, including the village water tower.

Good time to start the project when rainy season is only a month or so away.

We're I live theres nothing left to burn, the locals have already set fire to it all, including the village water tower.

Good time to start the project when rainy season is only a month or so away.

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Mostly black here, too.

And the rainmaking season, where they seed the clouds with chemicals to cause rain to fall, happens during the rainy season... TiT

In my observation, the authorities are simply blowing smoke. They aren't doing ANY kind of enforcement here. Like you suggested, they know the rainy season will come around soon enough, so it'll be on the back burner again... Year after year, it's the same song and dance just before the rainy season, then silence for another 6 months or so...