Indonesia fires spark close monitoring of smog in southern Thailand

[webfact]

Indonesia fires spark close monitoring of smog in South



BANGKOK: -- Indonesia fires are sparking smog monitoring in southern Thailand as there are reports of the arrival of smogs in many southern provinces.

Songkhla Meteorological Office assistant director Ms Payao Muang-ngam said she believed the haze which blanketed Songkhla province currently came from fires in Indonesia.

She said the haze was blown into southern Thailand by the southwesterly wind which is covering the South and the Gulf of Thailand.

She said remote sensing photographs showed forest fires at 225 locations in Sumatra island, particularly in the centre of the island.

It was likelihood of the smog from fires arriving in Songkhla and other southern provinces currently.

The office is now monitoring the fires and the arrival of the smog closely before issuing haze alert warning if it deteriorates, she said.

Earlier last month people in Narathiwat and Trang felt the arrival of the smogs but it was not serious due to the winds and rainfalls that helped to dilute the thickness of the haze.

But this week the smog was felt in Songkhla causing poor visibility in the lake.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/indonesia-fires-spark-close-monitoring-smog-south/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-21

[LivinginKata]

Not the forest fires again. We will soon see the smog here in Phuket.

[shirtless]

These clowns have to burn everything, Indonesia should be fined for this .

[Stocky]

It's Malaysians that are cutting Sumatra down and covering it with oil palm plantations.

[Stocky]

Personally sitting here in Hat Yai I can't say I've noticed much in the way of smog. I was in Jakarta last week and KL the week before and it's noticeable there, in southern Thailand it's barely perceptible.

[outsider]

Dammit... the Indonesians and their Malaysian plantation owners are at it again. I really wish they, especially the owners, will get all they have spewed throughout the years jammed into their lungs.

[webfact]

Indonesian forest fire smog affects shipping and airline businesses in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT, 23 July 2014 (NNT) - Smog resulting from a forest fire off the Sumatra Island in Indonesia has blanketed certain areas in Narathiwat province.

Dust particle levels have been measured at 65 micrograms per cubic meter in the province. Even though the air quality has not worsened much, people are still advised to closely monitor the overall situation and take care of their health.

Ships and airliners have been affected as well due to low-visibility conditions as a result of the smog, which has greatly reduced the visibility in the area--- from ten kilometers to five. However, the haze situation has not reached a critical level yet.


-- NNT 2014-07-23