Lampang offers 5,000 baht for clues leading to arrest of persons responsible for fires

LAMPANG, 3 February 2015 (NNT) – After experiencing a bout of thick haze, Lampang province is offering a 5,000-baht reward to anyone who informs the authorities of persons responsible for burning activities that add to the haze problem.

Northern Thailand experiences the haze problem annually at the end of the cold season and beginning of summer. Part of the problem comes from forest fires that are prevalent during the period, and part comes from the burning of fields to clear out plant stubs and make space for the new planting cycle – the latter frequently gets out of control and trigger forest fires.

The air particulate matter reading taken by the weather office in the province recently was found to have reached 127 micrograms per cubic meter, whereas the reading taken by the Provincial Waterworks Authority's air quality measuring station reached 123 micrograms per cubic meter. The acceptable standard set by the state is 120 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The rise of air particulate matter beyond the acceptable level prompted the province to offer a reward of 5,000 baht to each of those who offer clues leading to the arrest of persons responsible for burning activities that contribute to the haze.

The air particulate matter reading has since returned to normal, but the Department of Pollution Control is still asking relevant agencies to urgently implement measures to curb burning activities in open areas. Said activities include roadside fires, burning in forest areas, and burning of trash and plant stub.


-- NNT 2015-02-03

I thought that was the standard fine for lighting fires anyway?

It's not as if it's difficult to see them, the problem is that people here will not like to give their names etc for fear of retribution.

Surely when there is a stubble fire there is smoke , even the BIB must be able to put that together.

Couldn't they actually investigate or am I being silly ?

Why only Lampang?

Can they extend it to Khon Kaen and especially my neighbour that never stops lighting fires?

I'm happy to give my name and they can keep the 5000Baht for their tea money.

Fed up with the smoke all year round, cant breathe, can't put the washing out as it smells of smoke.

I see it all the time, kind of love the burning leaves smell ( really aint kidding).

but if its really bad for the nature then if must be stopped.

Guess it's time to break out the hoses so that they can spray those particle monitors again.

Don't want people getting the wrong idea, do we?

Great! So I just need to ring the police if I spot anyone burning stuff/grass etc? Or is there a special number to call? I hate the burning smell and air pollution! Is not like haze for short period of time, but for whole day or weeks!

I was about to buy a drone with camera so I can see where the fire is... But I guess they going to make it illegal soon to fly a drone with camera.... Hope the authority get some and spot the fires!