Smog gets worse in the far North due to wildfires

[webfact]

Smog gets worse in the far North due to wildfires
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE smog situation in Chiang Rai has worsened again and is causing visibility and health problems.

Mae Hong Son, Nan, Loei, Lampang, Chiang Mai and Phayao also have reported rising air pollution above the safety level.

Yesterday, air quality measurement information from the Pollution Control Department showed that particles of less than 10 micrometres (PM10) in Chiang Rai rose to 206 micrograms per cubic metre.

The other six provinces in the North and Northeast also had dangerous levels of air pollution - Mae Hong Son (161), Nan (147), Loei (134), Lampang (136), Chiang Mai (130) and Phayao (122).

A reading of PM10 above 120 micrograms per cubic metre is considered a threat to public health.

Many people in Chiang Rai have experienced eye irritation and running nose due to the air pollution.

Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai is prepared for the worst, even though air traffic has not been interrupted by low visibility.

The increase in air pollution in Chiang Rai province is due to wildfires along the border area with Myanmar. The wildfires have reportedly been brought under control.

Pollution Control Department records reveal that the North had faced a long period of smog last month, with relief coming at the end of the month.

The air quality in many provinces was downgraded again at the beginning of April.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Smog-gets-worse-in-the-far-North-due-to-wildfires-30257467.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-06

[lee b]

Chiang mai was very bad this year, after nearly 4 years here ( with this burning happening every year ) I have never suffered like this time. My eyes were burning like crazy and its the first time i was actually thinking of wearing the face mask i bought. Bring on more rain to clear it all up !!!

[alant]

Getting bad

Edited April 6, 2015 by alant

[ezzra]

So this is the new name for burning corn now? wiled fire? is there any one with balls big

enough to tell CP to stop burning their corn crops, is there?

[rijb]

They're setting smaller fires (compared to previous years) on the mountains. I guess it's to avoid getting caught.

[khwaibah]

Chiang mai was very bad this year, after nearly 4 years here ( with this burning happening every year ) I have never suffered like this time. My eyes were burning like crazy and its the first time i was actually thinking of wearing the face mask i bought. Bring on more rain to clear it all up !!!

With all the input over the years about how bad the smoke in northern Thailand is I can not believe how gullible people are as they keep getting suckered into the place. No sympathy at all.

[pastafarian]

Those bemoaning the air in CM spare a thought for your CR brothers where it is much worse!

[wabothai]

Stupid ignorant selfish farmers put Northern and north eastern Thailand ablazeduring the dry season causing thousands of people to have breathing ptoblems.

Not a word from Madame TAT. I wonder why.

Probably to scared and missing the guts to speak out.

Not a word from Prajuth, I wonder why.

Probably too scared losing his popularity among the ignorant.

If I could I would sue the hell out of farmers and government for attempted murder.

It is a total disgrace.

[Chicken George]

I'm just lost for words.. Nothing will ever be done...

[pastafarian]

What I find surprising is that the Thais never protest or demonstrate about it. I have friends/colleagues/family that all feel the same as us moaning aliens but they do nothing. Thousands visit hospitals with breathing related problems and a Dr in CM recently said that there are many more heart attack patients when the air quality is bad but everyone just goes about their business with the same 'mai pen rai' attitude. Breathing carcinogenic smoke for weeks shouldn't be treated the same as dropping a glass, mai pen rai just won't cut it with something so serious!

[wabothai]

#1 priority is trafficking.

Somewhere on the list is graft

The list ends with arresting people who set fire to The north and north east.

No end to the list.

[elgordo38]

So this is the new name for burning corn now? wiled fire? is there any one with balls big

enough to tell CP to stop burning their corn crops, is there?

The short answer is no nobooody. The legal system is smoke (which we know all to well) and mirrors. They are to busy counting tourist bahts and creating tourist numbers to do anything.

[elgordo38]

What I find surprising is that the Thais never protest or demonstrate about it. I have friends/colleagues/family that all feel the same as us moaning aliens but they do nothing. Thousands visit hospitals with breathing related problems and a Dr in CM recently said that there are many more heart attack patients when the air quality is bad but everyone just goes about their business with the same 'mai pen rai' attitude. Breathing carcinogenic smoke for weeks shouldn't be treated the same as dropping a glass, mai pen rai just won't cut it with something so serious!

Unfortunately it is not just Thailand we have become a complacent world. The rich are gaining the upper hand. We are all going through a form of mental lobotomy. I can remember years ago when some US cities were set ablaze for a lot less than what we are enduring today. I am surprised the United States voters turned the Senate over to the Republicans. The Republicans do nothing for the average American and in fact want to take his benefits away and cut taxes for the rich. The trickle down theory is long dead. Today the new mantra is protection of capital for capitalists.

[webfact]

Haze crisis returns in North



CHIANG RAI: -- The haze crisis returns in Thailand's northern region with pollutant standard index (PSI) readings for five provinces recorded unhealthy. The highest PSI reading of 191 microgrammes/cubic metre was recorded in Chiang Rai.

The Pollution Control Department’s Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau said today that PM10 dust measurement in five northern provinces returned to unhealthy levels again with PSI recording at over the standard level of 120.

It said PSI recordings for Tambon Wiang of Muang district, Chiang Rai was 191, for Tambon Sriwiang of Muang district Chiang Mai was 123, for Nan was 128, for Tambon Wieng of Muang district, Phayao was 133, and for Tambon Phrabat of Muang district, Lampang was 134.

It warned elderly people, children and patients affected from respiratory sickness in the five provinces to refrain from outdoor activities.

In case they have to leave homes, they are advised to wear dust masks.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/haze-crisis-returns-in-north


-- Thai PBS 2015-04-06

[Captain_Bob]

Story conflicts with data given on http://aqicn.org/city/chiang-mai

...and I can still see Doi Pui summit from town which usually means it's not too bad for pre-Songkran days.

[Benmart]

What I find surprising is that the Thais never protest or demonstrate about it. I have friends/colleagues/family that all feel the same as us moaning aliens but they do nothing. Thousands visit hospitals with breathing related problems and a Dr in CM recently said that there are many more heart attack patients when the air quality is bad but everyone just goes about their business with the same 'mai pen rai' attitude. Breathing carcinogenic smoke for weeks shouldn't be treated the same as dropping a glass, mai pen rai just won't cut it with something so serious!

Unfortunately it is not just Thailand we have become a complacent world. The rich are gaining the upper hand. We are all going through a form of mental lobotomy. I can remember years ago when some US cities were set ablaze for a lot less than what we are enduring today. I am surprised the United States voters turned the Senate over to the Republicans. The Republicans do nothing for the average American and in fact want to take his benefits away and cut taxes for the rich. The trickle down theory is long dead. Today the new mantra is protection of capital for capitalists.

Being an American, I try to avoid comparing the US political system to Thailand's. The fact that peaceful demonstration and media criticism is allowed in one and not the other drives that home.

[angiolo]

smoke gets in their eyes.

[Rogergreybeard]

Let's have another meeting

[Rotweiler]

I think you are all out to lunch.

If you would please put this in perspective - a large portion of California is evacuated annually because of bush fires. The same goes for parts of Australia.

An area I am personally acquainted with is central BC. Raging fires annually block out the sun in large parts of central BC with raging fires for many weeks a year.

Stop blaming the people here! Shit happens. Whether here or USA or Canada or Australia.

This nonsense goes on annually. Time to put a stop to it.

So this is the new name for burning corn now? wiled fire? is there any one with balls big

enough to tell CP to stop burning their corn crops, is there?

[ripstanley]

I think you are all out to lunch.

If you would please put this in perspective - a large portion of California is evacuated annually because of bush fires. The same goes for parts of Australia.

An area I am personally acquainted with is central BC. Raging fires annually block out the sun in large parts of central BC with raging fires for many weeks a year.

Stop blaming the people here! Shit happens. Whether here or USA or Canada or Australia.

This nonsense goes on annually. Time to put a stop to it.

So this is the new name for burning corn now? wiled fire? is there any one with balls big

enough to tell CP to stop burning their corn crops, is there?

Having lived it the north of Australia (Northern Territory) there were times due to bushfires {Wildfires for non Australians) there was smoke haze in Darwin. We even got the smoke from Indonesia. It would last for on about a week if that. Here in Thailand where I live it last for months. Why is that? If the continuous burning stops then it may improve our air quality.