Thai Authorities Consider Evacuating Children And The Aged As Air Pollution In North Worsens

[webfact]

Authorities consider evacuating children and the aged as air pollution in North worsens

The Nation on Sunday

CHIANG RAI: -- Air pollution in the Northern province of Chiang Rai has worsened to a dangerous level, prompting authorities to consider evacuating children and elderly people over the next few days.

PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul yesterday held an urgent meeting with the Chiang Rai governor and all district chiefs, after which it was agreed that there would be a total ban on setting fires to clear farmland.

This urgent measure will last three days, starting yesterday, he said, adding that leaders of the local communities would also face disciplinary action if they failed to prevent forest and farmland fires.

The quality of air in this Northern province that borders Burma has worsened over the past 4-5 days, marked by haze and a record amount of "PM 10" or fine dust particles in the air as much as 437 micrograms per cubic metre in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district yesterday.

The number is this year's highest to date, causing concerns among authorities that the health of residents, especially children and old people, will be affected.

The number of sick people due to the bad air quality has also risen in the past few days.

The widespread burning of farmland to get rid of weeds and previous crops to prepare the land for the next crop has contributed to the worsening air quality.

"If the three-day total ban on burning does not improve the situation, we will have to evacuate the residents, especially the high-risk groups, as hospitals have already seen more than 150 patients per day over the past few days," he said.

Sophon Poom-chuchan, the chief of Mae Sai district, said high-risk groups and sick people should not leave their homes unless necessary.

He said the district is ready to evacuate people if ordered by the provincial authorities. Mae Sai district yesterday also launched a "No Burn" campaign to stop the air quality from worsening.

"It will take some time for the haze to go away if there is no rainfall in the coming days. More importantly, we have to ensure that there will be no more burning, so we have sought cooperation from tambon chiefs and village heads to help prevent this catastrophe."

Besides Chiang Rai, six other Northern provinces such as Chiang Mai, Lampoon and Lampang have also faced the air quality problem.

These provinces have seen the level of PM 10 or fine particle dust exceeding the maximum 120mcg per cubic metre.

Muang district of Chiang Mai yesterday recorded 187.5mcg of fine particle dust per cubic metre, while Lampang province recorded 176.7mcg of the dust per cubic metre.

For Mae Hong Son province, the figures were 210.3mcg per cubic metre while Nan province had 160.17mcg per cubic metre.

In addition to farmland burning, there have also been many incidents of forest fires set by hunters looking for forest products.

Surachai Khan-arsa, governor of Lampoon province, said: "Forest fires remain a major problem as the air quality has worsened, marked by dusts as much as 197mcg per cubic metre. We will also have to encourage villagers to grow other crops instead of corn and similar varieties that require frequent farmland burning to get rid of weeds," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-11

[Ricardo]

The smog reaches four-times the safe (?) level, they're considering evacuation, and only now "it was agreed that there would be a total ban on setting fires to clear farmland", for three days only ?

Amazing Thailand needs a Miracle Thailand !

Edited March 11, 2012 by Ricardo

[Dibbler]

Sounds like this crisis has also become a law enforcement problem. It's less to do with hilltribes and people in neighbouring countries, and more to do with people's neighbours!! Authorities by themselves won't be able to solve the problem. People will need to get active and confront their neighbours and join volunteer fire brigades.

[MESmith]

"This urgent measure will last three days, starting yesterday"

Only rain will stop this. The authorities are powerless or clueless.

[KireB]

Great solution to the problem. Let's evacuate the children and let the fires and burning continue! The neighbors are still burning next doors!

[Lite Beer]

Haze crisis is taking its toll on Mae Hong Son health

BANGKOK, 11 March 2012 (NNT) – The impact of continued haze crisis in Thailand's northern region is posing more effects on the health of residents there.

Locals in northern Mae Hong Son are feeling more impact from the haze crisis in the country's North, which has continued unresolved for many weeks now.

Haze-hit residents said that, at the height of the haze, blocked respiratory system, sore throats and dizziness are common symptoms they have felt. However, they admitted that face masks do help ease such effects.

On Saturday, the air quality test in Mae Hong Son indicated the average amount of small dust particles was at 210.3 micrograms per cubic meter, considerably higher than the 120 micrograms-per-cubic-meter safety level.

-- NNT 2012-03-11

[JeremyBowskill]

Drove from Pai to Mai Hon son 2 days ago and spotted at least 20 fires burning on that 1 stretch of road at least 3 of which were less than 200 metres from the army checkpoints, they government clearly don't give a rats arse and have no intention in enforcing anything.

[maidu]

Evacuate them to where?

I would suggest establishing places where water is splashing (I jest not). Near waterfalls, for example. There are several near the town of Chiang Rai.

Similarly, set up public areas where water vapor can clear the air. This can be done with sprinklers or with high powered hoses shooting against a hard surface - causing as much spray as possible. It also produces negative ions, which are v. good for health and positive mood. People don't have to be getting wet - just being near the vapor will effect quick improvements.

I suffer from severe hay fever (twice per year in Thailand, only once per year in farang-lands). Smog and dust exacerbates it. When I'm near a waterfall, my suffering lessens markedly.

[anterian]

Two points, firstly pseudoephedrine is a major help but it is now banned, secondly burning is part of Thai culture, the only way to stop it is to apply the Thais love of money, pay them not to burn. Paying not to burn has to be cost effective weighed against medical costs, evacuation, and tourism losses.

[wolfmuc]

The smog reaches four-times the safe (?) level, they're considering evacuation, and only now "it was agreed that there would be a total ban on setting fires to clear farmland", for three days only ?

Amazing Thailand needs a Miracle Thailand !

Have a look at the measurement results. No explanation needed if you consider south-westerly winds. May be in some (3 ?) days the problem will be solved.

And the name of the miracle will be Wind & Rain. -

maidu has asked: 'Evacuate them to where?' I would suggest Hua Hin or Pattaya ... Should have been done weeks ago.

[kurtgruen]

Well, since they won't quit burning, I only see one solution...drink beer and wash down the particles, until it rains for a few days and the smoke disappears. I'd love to escape to the beach for a few months, but since that isn't an option right now, I drink instead ;-)

Us foreigners complaining about it, will do nothing, except keep us focused on the problem.

Funny thing is, I sat here, in our restaurant for most of the day, yesterday and didn't even think about the smoke (which is pretty bad in Chiang Dao, too). Then, hours later, a local expat showed up with a mask and complaining about the smoke...I looked around and realized, oh yeah, it is quite smokey, ;-)

So my suggestion is, pretend you are an Ostrich, stick your head in the sand, or rather in our case, beer glass and enjoy it, IT WILL PASS :-)

[trainman34014]

'Considering Evacuation' is one thing but actually doing it is another. This is just more lip service in the hope that it will shut people up until it rains or a very stiff breeze blows up.

Talk of 'Disciplinary Action' against Village Leaders if they don't stop fires is just hot air. These guys are virtually untouchable in their own communities and their own skivvies will be burning the bosses rubbish every night.

[djh]

Politicians blowing smoke....? Always helps in a situation like this!

[theanimaster]

A ban of 3 days only? Just goes to show that the biggest culprit here isn't the burning of the fields, but EDUCATION as a whole.

The authorities clearly are an uneducated lot as with the locals. If you knock it into these thick heads that what they're doing is WRONG and that there are BETTER, SAFER ALTERNATIVES, perhaps things will change.

For now, these ignorant farmers are just that -- ignorant. Same way they'd vote for a criminal who runs things from his posh den overseas, they need it beat into them -- what's right and what's not.

Fix the education system? But of course not. The locals are much more malleable this way. Sure there will be a couple deaths, but what does that mean to politicians? It means a chance to come in and pretend to care of course!

I mean come on... there are more important things to consider than people dying such as that new iPad3 (aka THE iPad). I'm sure the politicians are just WAITING to get their hands on a FREE iPad while their fellow tax-paying doormats are dying of their own incompetence.

[pisico]

Proclaiming today a ban on fires, starting yesterday, proves that politicians in this country have Titanium faces.

Thailand, as any country with a Third World mentality, is reactive.

First, they consider, they ponder, and finally they plan... they will think of anything that will delay action as much as possible. To be proactive, to implement maintenance, to prevent will never happen. Why? Thais are not fond of working before something is broken and there is a problem. This way of life (it will be a misnomer to call it culture), exists to a large degree, due to the animism that pervades their minds.

In the face of such situations weeks, if not months, in the making (flood, air pollution as a result of burning forest fires, etc.) their reaction will normally be: "Let's see if it rains... Let's see if it stops raining... Let's see if the winds will start blowing..." Anything that will delay having to do actual work of any kind to solve the problem at hand. Of course, offerings to the proper deities will be brought to the temples and that will relive them of any responsibility and/or having to actually work according to their job descriptions. Lip service is so handy! Not only preserves the image and face, but also conveys the notion that the community fathers care for the little people.

Curious, as always, to hear what the usual apologists what to say.

[noitom]

Surprising that The Nation is even giving this that much coverage inasmuch as the majority of its readership is English aware Thai elite business class detached folks. Probably has something to do with the PM's roots in the north and what little influence she and her handlers have with this paper.

[Lite Beer]

Critical haze pollution remains in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, March 11 – A blanket of thick hazy dust particles in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Sunday remained at a critical level while the situation in Lampang has improved due to rainfall.

Chiang Mai on Sunday has still faced haze with dust particles exceeding the safety standard of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre for the sixth consecutive day.

The level of the dust particles was measured at 187 microgrammes per cubic metre at Chiang Mai city hall and at more than 200 microgrammes per cubic metre at Yupparaj Wittayalai School in the provincial seat.

Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Adisorn Kamnerdsiri said that he has assigned administrative officials to inform relevant officials in all districts to step up measures tackling and preventing the ongoing haze pollution.

He explained that he had coordinated with the provincial natural resources and environment office to expedite disbursement of about Bt27,000 to each subdistrict in order to boost local operations.

In addition, the deputy governor coordinated with military personnel in haze-hit zones to help resolve pollution.

Meanwhile, Tiwa Panmaisee, chief of Lampang meteorological station, explained that the haze situation in all 13 districts has reduced with visibility improved to over 2,000 metres thanks to incessant rains.

However, the provincial weather station warned residents of summer thunderstorms with gusty winds over the next week, as well as hail expected in some areas.

The summer thunderstorms have resulted from a moderate high pressure system from China enveloping the upper part of Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-11

[TAWP]

Imagine the self-interest and complete lack of regards for others it take to see this re-occuring problem and still go out and perform the actions that put others healths at risk.

[bigbamboo]

"This urgent measure will last three days, starting yesterday"

Only rain will stop this. The authorities are powerless or clueless.

Critical haze pollution remains in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, March 11 – A blanket of thick hazy dust particles in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Sunday remained at a critical level while the situation in Lampang has improved due to rainfall.

Chiang Mai on Sunday has still faced haze with dust particles exceeding the safety standard of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre for the sixth consecutive day.

The level of the dust particles was measured at 187 microgrammes per cubic metre at Chiang Mai city hall and at more than 200 microgrammes per cubic metre at Yupparaj Wittayalai School in the provincial seat.

Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Adisorn Kamnerdsiri said that he has assigned administrative officials to inform relevant officials in all districts to step up measures tackling and preventing the ongoing haze pollution.

He explained that he had coordinated with the provincial natural resources and environment office to expedite disbursement of about Bt27,000 to each subdistrict in order to boost local operations.

In addition, the deputy governor coordinated with military personnel in haze-hit zones to help resolve pollution.

Meanwhile, Tiwa Panmaisee, chief of Lampang meteorological station, explained that the haze situation in all 13 districts has reduced with visibility improved to over 2,000 metres thanks to incessant rains.

However, the provincial weather station warned residents of summer thunderstorms with gusty winds over the next week, as well as hail expected in some areas.

The summer thunderstorms have resulted from a moderate high pressure system from China enveloping the upper part of Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-11

Normally at this time of year you would see clear blue sky above Chiang Mai. It may still be there only you can see beyond the smog.

[pattayadingo]

A pathetic response by the authorities to this ongoing situation.

[personchester]

Great solution to the problem. Let's evacuate the children and let the fires and burning continue! The neighbors are still burning next doors!

During ww 2, children were evacuated in England due German bombing, and in Germany due to British and American bombing, because they were unable stop the bombing on their country, hence the evacuation of the children in order to save them, the evacuation stopped when the war ended.

Thailand appears to have the same problem, the children are going to be evacuated because the authorities are unable to stop the burning, the burning is of course not part of a war, (thus no war end) therefore the burning will continue as has been the case in the past, and the peoples health problems will continue.

In order to solve this problem, the central government in bkk must take action, and there is no doubt that for health reason appropriate action will eventually be taken.

[Bakseedaa]

The smog reaches four-times the safe (?) level, they're considering evacuation, and only now "it was agreed that there would be a total ban on setting fires to clear farmland", for three days only ?

Amazing Thailand needs a Miracle Thailand !

Have a look at the measurement results. No explanation needed if you consider south-westerly winds. May be in some (3 ?) days the problem will be solved.

And the name of the miracle will be Wind & Rain. -

maidu has asked: 'Evacuate them to where?' I would suggest Hua Hin or Pattaya ... Should have been done weeks ago.

I would suggest Buri Ram .... put them in touch with their Red Shirt extended families... keep them away from Hua Hin... its Yellow..!

[belg]

thailand claims it invented the technology decades ago to make it rain on command .... why not use the technology ?

[MESmith]

thailand claims it invented the technology decades ago to make it rain on command .... why not use the technology ?

MEthinks it only works when conditions are right for rain, but rain isn't actually falling. ie the water has to be up there in the sky, & then it's "encouraged" to fall.

[wolfmuc]

Did some research today and found an interesting link from Germany/Europe - http://www.env-it.de...?setLanguage=en :

'Health risk - Research studies of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have shown increased occurrence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases at high particulate matter concentrations. Persons with pre-existing disease are especially vulnerable. Studies have shown a measurable reduction in life expectancy with increasing particulate matter concentrations.

Limit values - Since 1 January 2005 limit values for particulate matter (PM₁₀) for protection of human health are put into force(throughout Europe). The daily limit value is 50 µg/m³, not to be exceeded more than 35 times per calendar year. The permitted annual limit value is 40 µg/m³. Information on ambient concentrations of particulate matter and exceedances must be made available to the public as promptly as possible.'

No comment necessary. Btw north of Phrae we had some rain yesterday night - it's getting better all the time.

[rubl]

The smog reaches four-times the safe (?) level, they're considering evacuation, and only now "it was agreed that there would be a total ban on setting fires to clear farmland", for three days only ?

Amazing Thailand needs a Miracle Thailand !

Have a look at the measurement results. No explanation needed if you consider south-westerly winds. May be in some (3 ?) days the problem will be solved.

And the name of the miracle will be Wind & Rain. -

maidu has asked: 'Evacuate them to where?' I would suggest Hua Hin or Pattaya ... Should have been done weeks ago.

I would suggest Buri Ram .... put them in touch with their Red Shirt extended families... keep them away from Hua Hin... its Yellow..!

It's surely nice and warming to find the spirit of reconciliation even in a red-hot topic like 'air pollution because of fires'

[PoodMaiDai]

They should just keep talking about it and act like this is the first year it's every happened. Then they can talk about it again next year, and the year after.

How many 100s of years has this been happening?

[MESmith]

They should just keep talking about it and act like this is the first year it's every happened. Then they can talk about it again next year, and the year after.

How many 100s of years has this been happening?

Hundreds of thousands of years according to some idiot in the "Japanese hackers thread"

[lungmi]

Connect your postings to the new economics of the Government.(fertilizers?)

[gk10002000]

Industrial pollution in crowded cities with too much concrete and asphalt is one thing. But this pollution, in an area surrounded by so much greenery is inexcusable.