Northern Thailand governors told to brace for smog problem during dry season

[webfact]

Northern governors told to brace for smog problem during dry season



BANGKOK: -- Governors and lower-ranking officials in nine northern provinces have been told take precautions against smog problem from the burning of agricultural wastes and weeds during the upcoming dry season.

Government spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the government is concerned with the smog or haze problem which usually takes place every year during March-April especially in nine northern provinces such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phrae, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son and Tak.

Farmers in these provinces prefer to get rid of weeds or agricultural wastes by burning them by the roadsides or in communities. Forest fires are also rife during the dry season.

Maj-Gen Sansern said the officials were told by

the government to apply pracharath mechanisms to deal with the smog problem with all stakeholders, including public and private sectors, take part in watching out for fires, procurement of equipments to fight forest fires and in publicity campaign for public awareness in preventing smog problem.

The Interior Ministry will be the lead organization in the fire fighting effort in farmland while the Natural Resources Ministry will look after forest areas. Burnings on roadsides will be taken care of by the Transport Ministry.

Maj-Gen Sansern said the prime minister is concerned with the smog problem and is afraid that more water will be needed to douse fires and he does not want this to happen. Smog problem will cause health hazards and affect tourism business, he added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/146982


-- Thai PBS 2016-01-18

[jaltsc]

"Governors and lower-ranking officials in nine northern provinces have been told take precautions against smog problem from the burning of agricultural wastes and weeds during the upcoming dry season..Maj-Gen Sansern said the prime minister is concerned with the smog problem and is afraid that more water will be needed to douse fires and he does not want this to happen. Smog problem will cause health hazards and affect tourism business, he added.."

That's really solving the problem. If he's so concerned, how about preventing the burning, enacting penalties against those who burn, or any other preemptive actions?

One day the government is talking about water conservation and the next it is doing nothing against actions that will waste more water while at the same time cause major health problems for tens of thousands.

Thailand...Hub of scratching your head and wondering "What the f--- are they thinking?

Edited January 17, 2016 by jaltsc

[craigt3365]

We drove by a huge burn off a few days ago here in Pattaya. Right on a major highway. Only 1 km from a police station. Nothing was done and the smoke could be seen blowing across a huge populated area. Sad.

[NongKhaiKid]

Surely they don't need to be told about this as it happens every year and every year the counter-measures amount to little or nothing.

As usual LoS talks issues to death and that's about it.

[trogers]

"Governors and lower-ranking officials in nine northern provinces have been told take precautions against smog problem from the burning of agricultural wastes and weeds during the upcoming dry season..Maj-Gen Sansern said the prime minister is concerned with the smog problem and is afraid that more water will be needed to douse fires and he does not want this to happen. Smog problem will cause health hazards and affect tourism business, he added.."

That's really solving the problem. If he's so concerned, how about preventing the burning, enacting penalties against those who burn, or any other preemptive actions?

One day the government is talking about water conservation and the next it is doing nothing against actions that will waste more water while at the same time cause major health problems for tens of thousands.

Thailand...Hub of scratching your head and wondering "What the f--- are they thinking?

Political officials don't dare anger the electorate. That's democracy... or not?

[jaltsc]

"Governors and lower-ranking officials in nine northern provinces have been told take precautions against smog problem from the burning of agricultural wastes and weeds during the upcoming dry season..Maj-Gen Sansern said the prime minister is concerned with the smog problem and is afraid that more water will be needed to douse fires and he does not want this to happen. Smog problem will cause health hazards and affect tourism business, he added.."

That's really solving the problem. If he's so concerned, how about preventing the burning, enacting penalties against those who burn, or any other preemptive actions?

One day the government is talking about water conservation and the next it is doing nothing against actions that will waste more water while at the same time cause major health problems for tens of thousands.

Thailand...Hub of scratching your head and wondering "What the f--- are they thinking?

Political officials don't dare anger the electorate. That's democracy... or not?

I suppose it doesn't matter. People who die from the resulting respiratory diseases....can't vote.

[cloudhopper]

"Burnings on roadsides will be taken care of by the Transport Ministry."

Of course - who do you think sets them all?

[davehowden]

If Thailand could only market and sell "hot air" they would be a very rich country!

[trogers]

"Governors and lower-ranking officials in nine northern provinces have been told take precautions against smog problem from the burning of agricultural wastes and weeds during the upcoming dry season..Maj-Gen Sansern said the prime minister is concerned with the smog problem and is afraid that more water will be needed to douse fires and he does not want this to happen. Smog problem will cause health hazards and affect tourism business, he added.."

That's really solving the problem. If he's so concerned, how about preventing the burning, enacting penalties against those who burn, or any other preemptive actions?

One day the government is talking about water conservation and the next it is doing nothing against actions that will waste more water while at the same time cause major health problems for tens of thousands.

Thailand...Hub of scratching your head and wondering "What the f--- are they thinking?

Political officials don't dare anger the electorate. That's democracy... or not?

I suppose it doesn't matter. People who die from the resulting respiratory diseases....can't vote.

Most can't vote even if they didn't die - farangs!

[worgeordie]

The main burning of forests,is done by villagers burning off the

undergrowth,so when the rainy season starts they can find

mushrooms,which are a source of food and income.

While the smog/smoke has been very bad in the past,I forecast

this year will be the worst its ever been,as the lack of rain last

year,the forests,road sides will be like tinder boxes.

The Government knows this is going to happen,as it has occurred

every year,and they don't seem to be really bothered as it should have

been dealt with by now,in the UK the burning of farmers fields was

made illegal years ago,and it stopped,here the Government makes

noises but the people who do the burning don't care, as no one is

held to account and punished.

regards Worgeordie

[trogers]

The main burning of forests,is done by villagers burning off the

undergrowth,so when the rainy season starts they can find

mushrooms,which are a source of food and income.

While the smog/smoke has been very bad in the past,I forecast

this year will be the worst its ever been,as the lack of rain last

year,the forests,road sides will be like tinder boxes.

The Government knows this is going to happen,as it has occurred

every year,and they don't seem to be really bothered as it should have

been dealt with by now,in the UK the burning of farmers fields was

made illegal years ago,and it stopped,here the Government makes

noises but the people who do the burning don't care, as no one is

held to account and punished.

regards Worgeordie

Future governments may have to do the burning. CDC said so.

[fredge45]

"Forest fires are also rife during the dry season." From the looks of the fires burning in the mountains south of Chiang Mai folks aren't waiting for the hot and dry season... bye bye clear beautiful clear skies already!

[Saan]

The Vietnam coast is beckoning.

[DM07]

Same procedure as every year, James!

Blah blah blah and even more blah...

[wabothai]

I am complaining to my miz about the village headman setting fires. She says: "You not see".

[wabothai]

it is going to be your head ms. Sansern.

[rebelplatoon]

On one side it's villagers hoping for the mushrooms. The other it's farmers clearing. And the government not wanting to cut road sides. Make it illegal with huge fines and even prison time. Get a proper system in place for detecting fires and a quick judicial process.

But, then again, those who can hear won't listen.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps while admonishing provincial-governors, the government spokesman might also advise residents & tourists to simply hold their breath, until the rains arrive in May or June, with as much success ?

Meanwhile the burning-season is already underway in our area, as usual at this time of year, and the air-quality is getting worse by-the-day.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Ricardo

[springheeled jack]

I can remember years ago farmers turned weeds back into the ground to rot down and only corn stalks were burnt .

[Saan]

And the burning season is extending as the mega food companies like CP require more and more corn to feed their pigs. And just when you think it should be over the corn fields are burnt off.

What tourist in his/er right mind would come to a city where you can barely see the sites through the haze.

And what person in their right mind would choose to live in a city where you can be choking for breath for part of the year.

[MZurf]

"Maj-Gen Sansern said the officials were told by the government to apply pracharath mechanisms to deal with the smog problem..."

Huh???

[lostmebike]

Northern governors told to brace for smog problem and police incompetence to up hold the no burning law during dry season

Just another possible headline.

[lostmebike]

We drove by a huge burn off a few days ago here in Pattaya. Right on a major highway. Only 1 km from a police station. Nothing was done and the smoke could be seen blowing across a huge populated area. Sad.

And herein lies the root of the problem.

Same with the over-loaded trucks.

Same with the ...

The list is endless.

[trogers]

We drove by a huge burn off a few days ago here in Pattaya. Right on a major highway. Only 1 km from a police station. Nothing was done and the smoke could be seen blowing across a huge populated area. Sad.

And herein lies the root of the problem.

Same with the over-loaded trucks.

Same with the ...

The list is endless.

Logical! There are more farmers than police...

[lostmebike]

We drove by a huge burn off a few days ago here in Pattaya. Right on a major highway. Only 1 km from a police station. Nothing was done and the smoke could be seen blowing across a huge populated area. Sad.

And herein lies the root of the problem.

Same with the over-loaded trucks.

Same with the ...

The list is endless.

Logical! There are more farmers than police...

Of which all they probably know and drink with.

[elgordo38]

Surely they don't need to be told about this as it happens every year and every year the counter-measures amount to little or nothing.

As usual LoS talks issues to death and that's about it.

Its called throwing up your hands in despair. Throwing in the towel. Accepting the status quo. Turning a blind eye. AWGAF anymore. Take your pick.

[elgordo38]

And the burning season is extending as the mega food companies like CP require more and more corn to feed their pigs. And just when you think it should be over the corn fields are burnt off.

What tourist in his/er right mind would come to a city where you can barely see the sites through the haze.

And what person in their right mind would choose to live in a city where you can be choking for breath for part of the year.

China is full of them. Worse than here.

[elgordo38]

Northern governors told to brace for smog problem and police incompetence to up hold the no burning law during dry season

Just another possible headline.

Always has puzzled me what does a Northern governor do exactly. Is it an honorary title????

[Shaunduhpostman]

In our area of Isaan the smoke has been particularly bad this year. This background of smoke that makes the sky grey and makes it uncomfortable to breath as well as makes headaches, seems to give people in the village a reminder to burn even more plastic even more often as well and while they are at it, wouldn't it be great to start up a small charcoal business, the smoke from that matches nicely with all the rest of the smoke. So there are now several people burning wood several times a week which produces an incredibly thick choking cloud. The pu yai ban now reminds people all the time to burn their trash and burn forest growth to keep the village neat and tidy as well. One night last year, the neighbors actually had to flee on motorbike at midnight because you literally could not breathe from a mass charcoal making operation. We had air filtering and so were ok indoors, but outside it was really scary.

The other day however, My wife went to some provincial public health office or something to complain about various clouds of smoke that debilitate us day in and day out this year. I wasn't surprised when she told me they said nothing about doing anything about any of it, but they did mention that many people were coming in and complaining. That surprised me because people I ask and encounter never seem to know what I am talking about, "Oh...smell bad." Telling them about the health consequences doesn't register, zero public awareness.

Much of the problem is that families and shops burn their plastic. If they just had garbage collection for us here as they do in many areas of Thailand that would solve much of the problem here. There is smoke from fires from burning fields, but that eventually clears up, the charcoal and trash burning is year round. Couple that with the noxious pesticides and other agricultural chemicals and country life is much more of a health hazard from pollution than Bangkok for sure. The maddening thing is that the problem could be solved but instead the health ministry wants to bang on about cigarette smoking and alcohol. I would bet people are dying from smoke created by these fires in droves.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Shaunduhpostman

[Jonmarleesco]

Wouldn't it be safer for all if the government, national and provincial, stopped pussyfooting around with 'bracing' for the problem and enforced whatever law there might be, including those related to endangerment of health?