I had always presumed that the severe smoke pollution that's almost everywhere in northern Thailand at this time of the year was due to the (misguided?) 'slash and burn' policy of farmers clearing agricultural land. However, driving from Pai to Mae Hong Son the other day it was clear that this is not solely the case.

Along the way (stretching for about 110 kms) I could see the destruction of UNproductive forest land, huge stretches alongside the road and reaching way up on the mountainside. Smoking charred remains EVERYWHERE. Land had been burned for no apparent reason. Anybody know why this should be?

Besides the pollution to cities, towns and villages there must be an enormous impact on wildlife. No one seems to care. Nothing less than wanton destruction on a huge scale.

Once again, I'm bewildered by what I see around me. Comments welcome . . .

A friend told me there was a fire right beside a Forestry Dept. fire prevention office. No One seemed to be bothered at all!

I think fires are also used, by the Forestry Department, to prevent build-up over several years of flamable undergrowth in the woods, leading to more-serious forest-fires ?