Indonesian Haze Hits Southern Thailand

[george]

Indo haze hits southern Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Haze caused by forest fires on Indonesia's Sumatra Island hit Hat Yai district and several parts of Songkhla province Monday morning.

The haze caused low visibility, prompting motorists to turn fog lights on.

Wanchai Sakudomchai, a weather forecaster of the eastern coast, said the haze was blown to southern Thailand from Sumatra by the southwest monsoon wind.

He said the haze would affect Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Tang, Phattalung, Satun and Songkhla.

--The Nation 2006-07-17

[Jai Dee]

Thai provinces report haze from Indonesian forest fires

BANGKOK (AP): Haze from forest fires in Indonesia has reduced visibility in five southern Thai provinces, and residents with respiratory ailments have been advised to avoid outdoor activities, a weather official said Tuesday.

Pollution caused by fires burning in the forests of Sumatra island had not reached hazardous levels but had reduced visibility to about 5 kilometers (3 miles), said Jongchit Niranatmetheekul, of the regional meteorological office.

Road travel is deemed risky when visibility is under 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), she said, adding that people with allergies and respiratory problems were advised not to exercise outdoors.

The haze is an annual problem for the Thai provinces of Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, which are across a strip of the Andaman Sea from Indonesia's Sumatra island, where farmers burn brush or old crops to clear land during dry weather.

Source: Jakarta Post - 18 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

Trang affected by Indonesian forest fire

Trang Province is currently receiving effects from forest fires raging in Indonesia, with smoke causing low visibility at a range of two percent, or less than eight kilometers.

Trang's climate is currently affected by the smoldering smoke, due to forest fires burning in Indonesia, and the province is therefore experiencing noticeably cloudy skies, with hot and humid weather.

Meteorological stations in the area have issued warnings to motorists to exercise greater-than-normal caution when driving as road visibility is extremely low and especially hazardous at the present period. Boats are still authorized to leave port, although some prudence is also advised.

Meteorological officials state that the future severity of the situation will depend on the conditions of the Indonesian forest fires, as well as wind direction and strength.

The local populace has yet to be affected from the curtains of smoke, which has lasted well into its second day now.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

Satun residents urged to remain calm amidst dark skies

The Region 15 Environment Office has urged residents in Satun Province to remain calm amidst dark smoke plumes which have completely covered the province, citing that the dust from the smoke still falls below hazardous limits.

Forest fires on the Sumatra Islands of Indonesia continue blazing today, with consequential smoke clouds drifting inland to cover Satun province. General conditions show that the smoke cover has abated somewhat, but have also affected people in the province who have difficulty breathing, itchy eyes, and inflamed sinuses.

Mr. Thongchai Puwachiranon (ธงชัย ภู่วชิรานนท), the Director of the Region 15 Environment Office, stated that a visible white cloud cover can be seen over Satun and Songkhla provinces, while the extent of the clouds' distribution depends on the weather. Mr. Thongchai stated that there is little reason to believe that the clouds will spread any further due to the local rain season in the Andaman Ocean, which should prevent the smoke from spreading.

The smoke is said to still be within acceptable safety margins of 120 micrograms per cubic meters, but local citizens with respiratory and allergy problems should take extra precautions.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 July 2006

[george]

Indonesian forest fire haze lifting in Thai south

SONGKHLA: -- The Indonesian forest fire haze which has enveloped southern Thailand in smog for some days began lifting in Songkhla on Wednesday morning.

According to news reports, the haze has lessened due to rain Tuesday night, improving visibility and bringing welcome relief for people suffering from respiratory ailments.

The local meteorological office warned that the although the strong southwesterly winds which have been carrying dust particles from Sumatra have weakened, it is still possible that the haze will return as some of the fires have not yet died down.

Dr. Kritha Thamkampee, a lung specialist at Songkha Nakharin Hospital said that the hospital is surveying patients with respiratory disease which may have increased due to the blanket of smog.

The hospital also advised patients to avoid exposure to the smog to prevent their symtoms from becoming aggravated.

--TNA 2006-07-19