Haze Problem Cuts Number Of Tourists In Chiang Rai

[webfact]

Haze problem cuts number of tourists in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI, Feb 29 -- The haze problem in Thailand’s northern provinces has cut the number of tourists in Chiang Rai by more than 20 per cent and is continuing gradually on a downward trend if the problem continues to persist, according to Chiang Rai Tourism Council President Somkiat Chuentheerawong.

Provincial workers were assigned to spray water into the air in may locations to reduce the dust particle level and believe that the situation is improving. The particulate levels earlier registered as the highest concentration in the region at almost 300 micrograms per cubic metre and the distinctive odors of burnt forests and fields were dropping but the gray smog could be seen lingering in the sky.

Mr Somkiat said the impact of the haze, caused by seasonal forest and farmland fires, has started to pinch the tourism business in the province as the number of tourists has fallen by more than 20 per cent compared with the same period last year. The number of visitors is expected to nose dive if the situation does not improve.

He urged Chiang Rai farmers to stop prepare their fields for the new round of crops by burning off last year’s ground cover, or other open air burning activities. The authorities have been asked to enforce strict measures against violators.

The Northern Rain Making Operation Centre on Tuesday continued its cloud-seeding activities, even though humidity is still inadequate for rain-making.

Overall air quality in the North on Tuesday ranged from moderate to higher levels posing health risks. Despite the dropping level of dust particles, widespread forest fires in Thailand’s North and in neighbouring Laos and Myanmar continue as major obstacles to tackling the haze problem. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-29

[villagefarang]

One of the main draws to Chiang Rai is the view. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls and reservoirs are not much of a draw if you can’t see them and you end up gasping for breath on the path to get there.

[Amoeba]

Some towboats to "fight" flooding, some fire engines to "fight" polluted air. The only result: More pollution. Hopeless inadequate government officials...

Edited February 29, 2012 by Amoeba

[KimoMax]

The Northern Backpacker Trail to and from Laos is Still Heavily Traveled, even with the Smoke.

[toybits]

Chiang Rai just doesnt get it!!! It keeps on destroying tribal villages with unregulated tourism activities. When one village has been destroyed - the tour companies think that they can always find another village to exploit. Tour companies have no long term vision. Only want to stuff their pockets with as much cash in as short a period of time. Now its payback time.

[BookMan]

Chiang Rai just doesnt get it!!! It keeps on destroying tribal villages with unregulated tourism activities. When one village has been destroyed - the tour companies think that they can always find another village to exploit. Tour companies have no long term vision. Only want to stuff their pockets with as much cash in as short a period of time. Now its payback time.

You feel that the smoke haze is also affecting the vision of tour operators?

[rmacdon61]

The Northern Rain Making Operation Centre on Tuesday continued its cloud-seeding activities, even though humidity is still inadequate for rain-making.

Why on earth does this happen? Is it just me or does this seem an insane comment?

Maybe this would sound better?

The Northern Snow Making Operation Centre on Tuesday continued its snow making activities, even though is still to warm for snow making.

[ginooooo]

When we were coming back from the airport today, even the family found it hard to believe at least 3 fires with a lot of smoke going into the road and the fires were right next to the road and no one there to oversee them. Of course, no police. Feaking crazy.

[OLDAUSSIE]

I was going to Chiang Rai next week but I have put it off because of the air quality, how long will it be before things get back to normal?

[Lizard2010]

The farmers were supposes to use the mulching machines the Goverment supplied.

Obviously they are not being used.

[villagefarang]

In our village everyone burns so you can’t really arrest everyone. It somehow wouldn’t be fair to fine only the ones you can catch in the act and let the others get away with it. I suppose you could resort to more draconian methods and punish an entire village if anyone burns. That might turn neighbor on neighbor as a means of enforcement.

Of course that is not the Thai way so I suspect the burning will continue for at least another generation. As family plots are sold off to corporations enforcement might get easier and they may have the financial wherewithal to do something other than burn.

[toybits]

The burning of forest litter has a silver lining to it. Frequent but low intensity burning is actually beneficial to trees. If forest litter was not allowed to burn and accumulated over many years, a fire in that area would be so intense it would kill the trees. Low intensity burning will recycle nutrients back into the soil without actually killing the trees.

Edited March 1, 2012 by toybits

[skybluestu]

The burning of forest litter has a silver lining to it. Frequent but low intensity burning is actually beneficial to trees. If forest litter was not allowed to burn and accumulated over many years, a fire in that area would be so intense it would kill the trees. Low intensity burning will recycle nutrients back into the soil without actually killing the trees.

Sounds more like slash-and-char to me which definitely isn't what the Thais do which is slash-and-BURN! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash-and-char

[villagefarang]

[harsu]

As we braved the pollution for an evening meal in an open air restaurant out at the Singha estate on the old C.M. road on Tuesday, we watched a stunning orange orb set in a matt gunship grey sky, like a post-apocalyptic film set. As the light levels fell even further, there appeared -on almost every distant hillside to the north of us- flames like some ancient hilltop warning system.

This is supposed to be the flowering season, not the 'venture outside only if you're wearing mask, goggles and not breathing deeply' season.

[harrry]

As we braved the pollution for an evening meal in an open air restaurant out at the Singha estate on the old C.M. road on Tuesday, we watched a stunning orange orb set in a matt gunship grey sky, like a post-apocalyptic film set. As the light levels fell even further, there appeared -on almost every distant hillside to the north of us- flames like some ancient hilltop warning system.

This is supposed to be the flowering season, not the 'venture outside only if you're wearing mask, goggles and not breathing deeply' season.

So what smoked meat and vegetables did you have?

[harsu]

Harrry, we ate an excellent massaman, noodles and pork, green lipped mussels and prawns in tamarind sauce between us all - just lightly flavoured by rice stalk and corn field smoke.

For those of you who aren't on the official mailing list, but were thinking about coming along to the monthly pleasure bike ride on Sunday - it's been postponed for a week. The smog situation will be reassessed by the trail leader, and if it's no better, then it will be postponed to the first Sunday of next month. By then we may be able to breathe again.

Edited March 2, 2012 by harsu

[villagefarang]

People keep sending me emails asking when things will get better and they can visit Chiang Rai again. I tell them June.

[Riggi]

It somehow wouldn’t be fair to fine only the ones you can catch in the act and let the others get away with it.

You don't necessarily need to catch them in the act of setting the fire, or even whilst the fire is burning... a charred black field is pretty damning evidence.

Granted, it doesn't prove who lit the fire, but I'm sure that wouldn't stop officials if they were serious about addressing the issue.