PM instructs related agencies to get tough with forest burners in the North

BANGKOK, 18 March 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed related agencies to get tougher with burners of forest or farming areas in another move to contain haze levels in the northern region.

General Prayut has told the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the air force, the army and the Department of Local Administration to join hands in stemming the crisis. Among the solutions include imposition of a ban on slash-and-burn farming in risk-prone areas and registration of collectors of wild food, as some of them are believed to be responsible for forest fires. Since February, 10 people have reportedly been arrested for having burnt forests or farming areas.

As a short-term measure, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment meanwhile has imposed a ban on entry into forest reserves, starting from now until April. Wild food collectors’ request for an entry to forest reserves will be approved on a case by case basis. The drafting of long-term plans will be incorporated in a national agenda. Gen Prayut said he wished the country would in the future have a special unit tasked with dealing with wildfires like foreign countries.

Provinces with critical levels of particulate matter (PM10) include Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, Phayao and Tak. Doctors estimated the number of people affected by the ongoing haze this year at 30,000 in Chiang Mai alone. In Mae Hong Son, the number of patients with respiratory problems has exceeded 5,000 since January.

-- NNT 2015-03-18

Glad to see someone is concerned. However; i would think 'connected' and 'protected ' peoples are involved in a lot of the worst cases of burning, so a massive anti-corruption drive would be needed to bring things properly under control.

Instead of sending up Planes to drop water over Chiang Mai why not send planes full of water to bomb the burning forest's ?

OK, problem solved....next on the agenda for today.

A couple of Sundays ago I took a 'scenic' route back from Doi Inthanon. The local agencies have lovely big banners alongside the road saying how much good work they are doing with regard to stopping the burning. A few KMs away from the road are pockets of fire and smoke in all directions... T!T

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Glad to see someone is concerned. However; i would think 'connected' and 'protected ' peoples are involved in a lot of the worst cases of burning, so a massive anti-corruption drive would be needed to bring things properly under control.

Instead of sending up Planes to drop water over Chiang Mai why not send planes full of water to bomb the burning forest's ?

Not sure about how well they are connected now with this anti Shinawatra government.

It is to bad there is no way to come close to an accurate measurement of the smog caused directly by humans on purpose and natural forest fires. Opinions there are many right or wrong well that we may never know.

Reminds me of a regular poster here who says he lives with rice fields all around him and the smog was not bad there but it was really bad in town.

I'm confused ...because I saw a map in a major newspaper this morning, which shows there are almost NO fires in Thailand, and the least amount, i.e., the clearest area on the whole map, is Northern Thailand !!

Is the PM saying that Thailand should take action against Burma/Laos/Cambodia for the burning?

Oh, wait, I just checked another fire map, this one put out by NASA ....hmm, so different looking ....must be a miscommunication! Why can't the rest of the world learn how to communicate properly?

I'm confused ...because I saw a map in a major newspaper this morning, which shows there are almost NO fires in Thailand, and the least amount, i.e., the clearest area on the whole map, is Northern Thailand !!

Is the PM saying that Thailand should take action against Burma/Laos/Cambodia for the burning?

Oh, wait, I just checked another fire map, this one put out by NASA ....hmm, so different looking ....must be a miscommunication! Why can't the rest of the world learn how to communicate properly?

The rest of the world does its the Thai Propaganda Department that doesn't.

I just don't know whats wrong with you people...... It seems the falangs are the only ones having a problem with this annal annual event. Thais don't have a problem with it..... The fix has been known and has been used for years and years. Only the falang has a problem with it not being instantly.

The solution.

Those in control know how to fix the problem and have been doing so for yonks. First you get together groups of doo gooders, the more the better. Then you discuss the problem in great detail..... using all media to show that you are really working on it. You have these serious talks and talks and talks , then in just a few short months the problem is gone. Just like that >>>> the problem is gone.

So the Thai powers that be knows the talk/discussion solution works, cuz it does eliminate the problem each and every year. So what do you people want ???

Falang impatience ...... Yooooiiiii

PS now if we can just start telling the difference between dust particulate and concentrate on the smoke particulate.....I guess its easier to measure dust than it is smoke.

I just don't know whats wrong with you people...... It seems the falangs are the only ones having a problem with this annal annual event. Thais don't have a problem with it..... The fix has been known and has been used for years and years. Only the falang has a problem with it not being instantly.

The solution.

Those in control know how to fix the problem and have been doing so for yonks. First you get together groups of doo gooders, the more the better. Then you discuss the problem in great detail..... using all media to show that you are really working on it. You have these serious talks and talks and talks , then in just a few short months the problem is gone. Just like that >>>> the problem is gone.

So the Thai powers that be knows the talk/discussion solution works, cuz it does eliminate the problem each and every year. So what do you people want ???

Falang impatience ...... Yooooiiiii

PS now if we can just start telling the difference between dust particulate and concentrate on the smoke particulate.....I guess its easier to measure dust than it is smoke.

Every year its SSDD by the same groups.

Recently went north from Bkk to C M by train. From Uttaradit to Lamphun thgere was burning alongside the track. It appeared to be clearing vegetation beside the track rather than wannabe farmers, though there was plenty of that too. Perhaps they need to have a word with the SRT management.

It does not matter what you do as long as you burn it up. Out of sight, out of mind. Other peoples problem , It is Thainess with nobs on

Just came back from Soppong to Chiang Mai. Loads of fires alongside the road in the hills. Can't tell me the "authorities" don't know. Could easily be extinguished by a water truck on the road.