The Thai Government And Farmers Need To Clear The Air

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

The government and farmers need to clear the air

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bushfires in the North are a perennial problem that causes pollution and health problems; they are also putting the region's development at risk

Every dry season, the northern provinces of Thailand are in danger from bushfires and forest fires that not only destroy the environment but also affect the air quality in large areas and for thousands of people. This year, the situation is unlikely to improve. Phaisan Satiwiboon of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said that a survey made on February 21 found almost 300 bushfires scattered around eight provinces in the North. There were 85 bushfires in Chiang Mai, 44 in Mae Hong Son and 30 in Lampang. Most of these fires occurred in agricultural areas and national parks.

Although bushfires in other parts of the country have showed signs of decreasing, the situation in the northern provinces is still worrisome. Some farmers burn forest areas around this time of year to prepare land for crop planting from March to April.

Environmental damage and air pollution caused by wildfires are an ongoing problem in the northern provinces. Many valleys in the North offer ideal conditions for the spread of fires, as the terrain obstructs the flow of air. A side effect of this problem is that, at this time of year, many in the northern provinces suffer from various respiratory illnesses due to the air pollution.

Although the PM10 level - which is used to measure the density of airborne pollutant particles - indicates that air quality in the northern provinces is still generally at a satisfactory level, the indicator usually worsens in the dry season because of the increased number of bushfires.

The recent hazy atmosphere in many northern provinces shows that farmers have started to burn off fields and forests for new crop plantation. Government officials have tried to make farmers follow a systematic schedule for burning, to enable the authorities to carry out reforestation to replace burnt trees. But the farmers tend to burn large areas of land, including forests, at the same time, which makes it difficult for authorities to control the resultant fires and the pollution.

But farmers are not solely to blame for the fires. Some wildfires are either caused accidentally by irresponsible people, or deliberately by others, even though they are aware of the danger and the warnings against doing so. For instance, the burning of grass verges along roadsides can also cause wildfires, threatening both the environment and people's lives.

The thriving tourism industry and the business sector in the North also contribute to damage to the environment and ecosystems. These businesses often need new locations for expansion purposes, resulting in an ever-wider encroachment upon forests.

Airborne pollutant particles also come from sources other than agriculture, such as the burning of garbage and waste, domestic wood burners, emissions from cars and smoke from factories and industrial plants. Combined with the seasonal burning of land for farming, these factors all contribute to the increase in pollution which can cause serious health problems and exacerbate existing illnesses such as asthma.

The northern provinces are among the country's premier tourist destinations. The region is known as a sanctuary for those who like to get away from it all, to enjoy a peaceful vacation in a natural environment. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing number of bushfires threatens that idyllic image - and the worst of the problem coincides with a time of year when there are numerous visitors to the region. If this issue is not addressed properly, it will eventually affect the economic and social development of the region, as it already has the environment and health.

This issue comes up every year, suggesting that it is unlikely to go away soon, unless all parties cooperate to prevent the fires raging out of control. A constructive solution should be sought, among all parties, to ensure that the northern region maintains its charm, as well as its position as a desirable location for residents and tourists alike.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

[lovetotravel]

A good police force, free of corruption, could handle this. Near our house, we've complained about several fires. Only to be told there was nothing they could do as bigwigs owned the properties. That, or paid them off.

[h90]

A good police force, free of corruption, could handle this. Near our house, we've complained about several fires. Only to be told there was nothing they could do as bigwigs owned the properties. That, or paid them off.

good police doesn't help. What does the police help if at the end the policeman get punished and not the wrong-doer?

You need clear laws and efficient courts. That would also clear the police of corruption.

[AleG]

There's a permanent haze over most of Thailand; it's refreshing to travel outside to actually see a blue sky.

Around Bangkok is specially bad, next time you take a plane out of the airport take a look outside and wait for the moment the plane pops out of the smog layer, then you'll wonder how can you live in such a murky atmosphere.

[OzMick]

"The thriving tourism industry and the business sector in the North also contribute to damage to the environment and ecosystems. These businesses often need new locations for expansion purposes, resulting in an ever-wider encroachment upon forests."

This is akin to saying the woman caused herself to be raped by wearing a short skirt. The encroachment on forests is directly related to greed, not to tourists arriving with money in their pockets.

[lovetotravel]

A good police force, free of corruption, could handle this. Near our house, we've complained about several fires. Only to be told there was nothing they could do as bigwigs owned the properties. That, or paid them off.

good police doesn't help. What does the police help if at the end the policeman get punished and not the wrong-doer?

You need clear laws and efficient courts. That would also clear the police of corruption.

The laws are there, it's the enforcement that's the problem. Here in our village, if we call the police, they charge us 2000B just to show up. Even if somebody here is breaking the law.

Saw a picture last year of a field burning in CM. Right behind a big sign saying it was illegal, along with a phone number to call to report the fire. No enforcement.

But you are absolutely right. If arrested, the policeman shouldn't get in trouble. Today, they can. And as we all know, the courts are quite corrupt here. Another big problem, unless you have money.

[bigbamboo]

Never mind who or what is to blame the authorities need to sort this problem out now.

[moe666]

Its all part of Thailands charm

[WackySomchai]

The parrott PM should set-up a committee to review this matter.

[finnomick1]

Farmers don't normally burn forest to prepare for land crop planting in March to April, they are burning off stubble in their fields but no-one has told them how to burn responsibly. It's happening every day around our house. A change of wind direction and the surrounding trees soon and easily catch fire, especially palm trees. Some know about using paraquat to kill off the grass and then plough it in -- free fertiliser but seeing the price the government promised for rice didn't materialise, there's no spare cash around hence the stubble burning. And being Thailand, this will take generations to change because the Ministry of Agriculture aren't exactly making themselves or these policies evident.

[T_Dog]

Farmers don't normally burn forest to prepare for land crop planting in March to April, they are burning off stubble in their fields but no-one has told them how to burn responsibly. It's happening every day around our house. A change of wind direction and the surrounding trees soon and easily catch fire, especially palm trees. Some know about using paraquat to kill off the grass and then plough it in -- free fertiliser but seeing the price the government promised for rice didn't materialise, there's no spare cash around hence the stubble burning. And being Thailand, this will take generations to change because the Ministry of Agriculture aren't exactly making themselves or these policies evident.

Stubble burning in Northern Thailand is a minor part compared to the thousands of acres of mountain-side that are being set on fire at this very moment. There is no restriction and no enforcement. I saw a wealthy land owner drive up to his property yesterday in his new Isuzu and set fire to a hillside that was not his, but adjacent to his property. I asked him why he did it and he said it is normal for this time of year. I told him it makes the air bad, and he said he heard on the news that the bad air is from China and Burma, not Thailand's problem. I see no end the burning so living with it is the only choice. If we are lucky, the next few years will be rainy like last year and prevent the burns.

[cardholder]

Never mind who or what is to blame the authorities need to sort this problem out now.

Not a cat in Hell's chance.

The authorities have no viable alternative to offer and no incentive to improve air quality.

[anterian]

I wear a copper bracelet, in England it stays bright and shiny, in Thailand it becomes dull and tarnished after a week.

[vijer]

I wear a Buddha amulet around my neck and have one in my car too! It protects me from air pollution, corrupt police, ghosts, being mugged, being charged farang prices instead of Thai prices, and I know in the future it will allow me to win the lottery for 10 million baht.

So I don't know what all of the pissing and moaning is about.

[Oregano]

Dear all,

We are organizing a walking campaign to voice our concern to the the responsible authority

that we have had enough and would like to see a real sustained concrete effort in tackling

this problem. Please join us on Sunday 18th March at CMU meeting hall at 4 PM.

We plan to walk the Nimmana Haeminda road and also the walking street.

Please bring your own banner/poster anything you would like to say andbe heard.

We are contacting medias to spread your concern. This is a free and voluntary

non political gathering. We are concerned people who are demanding our basic right

to breath a clean air and want to see real changes for the better. Please join us,

the more people come, the stronger would our voice be.

shared from Rungsrit Kanjanavanit FB page

[scorecard]

The parrott PM should set-up a committee to review this matter.

Chalerms sons could help!

[scorecard]

I wear a copper bracelet, in England it stays bright and shiny, in Thailand it becomes dull and tarnished after a week.

Did you ever think that might be due to heat and humidity?

[scorecard]

I take a company car from Chiang Mai to Lampang and return every day.

For the last two months there has been burning of the 2 to 4 meters adjacent to the road shoulder covering many kilometers of this journey.

I asked my Thai work colleagues:

- Is this part of annual stubble burning? Answer No, it's because the greenery close to the road edge is becoming too thick.

- So who organizes this burning? Answer: the Country Roads Authority / officials.

- Is it necessary to do this burning (which is quite substantial) at the same time as the major problem with major stubble burn off? Answer: No.

- Colleagues: Do you really expect better planning, no further questions please.

Edited March 12, 2012 by scorecard

[anterian]

I wear a copper bracelet, in England it stays bright and shiny, in Thailand it becomes dull and tarnished after a week.

Did you ever think that might be due to heat and humidity?

No I never think that, I know that the tarnish in this instance is caused by sulphur dioxide and sulphide radicals in the air. The normal oxygen tarnishing of copper polishes off with normal wear, the copper sulphide patina is much tougher.

[bigbamboo]

I wear a copper bracelet, in England it stays bright and shiny, in Thailand it becomes dull and tarnished after a week.

Serves you right for wearing a copper bracelet!

[ginjag]

Not just the N.West--issan example---rice field burning, scorching of sugar cane, 3 months of sugar cane black rain--Ha Ha  they burn it at night so no one will notice  Ha Ha  Bright red sky---the sound also of the crackling.  But a blind eye is turned.  Plus our roadside burning, they are mental, obsessed with it--cause their uncle and grandad did it--we have to do it.

[DeepInTheForest]

Could bio-char be part of the solution?

It would produce less air pollution than burning.

It would release less global warming gas.

It would return carbon and other nutrients to the soil.

http://www.good.is/post/from-kansas-to-kenya-biochar-can-capture-carbon-and-improve-soil/

[hellodolly]

I wear a copper bracelet, in England it stays bright and shiny, in Thailand it becomes dull and tarnished after a week.

Did you ever think that might be due to heat and humidity?

No I never think that, I know that the tarnish in this instance is caused by sulphur dioxide and sulphide radicals in the air. The normal oxygen tarnishing of copper polishes off with normal wear, the copper sulphide patina is much tougher.

Use toothpaste