Chiang Mai Airport acts against smog

By The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- With fine-particle dust exceeding the standard level, Chiang Rai International Airport yesterday turned on its runway lights to help pilots land safely.

Airport director Yuttana Chitrobaree said fire engines were also used to spray water into the air, in order to increase humidity and reduce the smog that blanketed the runways.

Meanwhile, Chiang Rai Health Office provided volunteers and emergency medical-service vehicles to urgently take care of people affected by the dust and smog.

Lampang Governor Supakit Boonyarittipong yesterday ordered authorities in all 13 districts of the province to work hard to ease the smog situation.

-- The Nation 2010-02-28

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Maybe I'm wrong but I thought that it was a requirement by the FAA that all runway lights be on 24/7. Why were they off?

Well, I'm about 8km from the airport and a nearby neighbor is burning a large field, creating so much local smoke I can't really tell how bad the general haze is. Obviously enforcing burning restrictions this time of year is just as much of a joke as it always has been out in the country...