Haze problem returns to six northern provinces

[webfact]

Haze problem returns to six northern provinces



BANGKOK: -- Haze problem has returned to several northern provinces after the end of a 60-day campaign to encourage farmers to stop burning their harvested crops.

A new round of haze was caused by farmers burning weeds to prepare their farmland for cultivation in the forthcoming rainy season prompting officials to scramble to seek cooperation from the farmers to hold off their land clearing efforts.

Officials of the Pollution Control Department have reported poor air quality in six northern provinces with the amount particles in the air exceeding standard level. The six northern provinces are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan and Phayao. The highest amount of particles in the air was reported in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai at 316 microgramme/cbm.

Mr Pornchai Chitnavasathien, president of Tourism Business Association of Chiang Mai, pointed out that the new round of haze problem has badly affected tourism business in the province with tourists cancelling flights and hotel bookings.

He estimated that as many as 10 percent of tourists would skip Chiang Mai because of the haze problem.

In Phayao province, residents have been advised to wear face masks when venturing outdoor and to close their windows.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/160150


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-20

[Thian]

The Chinese are used to thick smog, they don't care. So let the farmers burn whatever they want...In Thailand you don't care for your neighbours.

[kartman]

They didn't see it coming? well can't see now,

said Officials scrambling

[Oziex1]

"Mr Pornchai Chitnavasathien, president of Tourism Business Association of Chiang Mai, pointed out that the new round of haze problem has badly affected tourism business in the province with tourists cancelling flights and hotel bookings.

He estimated that as many as 10 percent of tourists would skip Chiang Mai because of the haze problem."

I would have thought peoples health would be the primary concern, but no I'm wrong.

Also seeking cooperation from Farmers to hold off on the burning, when is a good time to burn and are the results going to be any different?

Finally, How long has this been going on?

[Ricardo]

" a 60-day campaign to encourage farmers to stop burning their harvested crops."

Well that would be one way, to reduce the size of the warehoused stock-piles, get the farmers to burn their rice before they sell it ... but somehow I doubt that's what the writer meant to suggest, that they were currently doing ?

Where is an English-speaking editor, when one is needed ?

[streetsweeper]

This smog issue is so far down on the priority list for this and past governments that the farmers simply snigger and burn without fearing consequences.

Without effective leadership within the government and within the general populace, this country is doomed to 3rd World status for a very long time to come.

[marko kok prong]

i wonder how many farmers actually know about this directive.

[villagefarang]

If our village is anything to go by, there are announcements every morning, but whether people listen or not is a different matter.

[Ricardo]

Our village has posters, at strategic locations, announcing the ban & fines ... and there does seem to have been slightly-less smog this year, which is always welcome.

Then again, if the farmers grew less rice last summer due to the depressed-prices, as our locals did, there would anyway be less stubble to burn-off.

I love the way the authorities call it "haze" ... it's not natural haze, it's smog, which is largely avoidable if anybody cares enough about it !

[nikster]

I guess we bailed out just in time again this year... on the beach now.

There are some interesting developments happening - everyone who is interested in this problem, and by that I mean all of you who are reading this or posting here, should know about these, and pay attention to them, and support them:

- Government bans are apparently working, even if only in limited ways. Many have held the view it couldn't work because it's not enforceable and/or the smog comes from outside the country. This is very good news! It's easy to see that pollution levels were way down during the ban this year.

- People - Thais - living in the north get more and more pissed off about this. This campaign is all over my facebook, and there are many others like it:

https://m.facebook.com/Bye-Bye-SMOG-1595770327403770/

I have been witnessing this every year, it is getting a little stronger every year. More social media use makes it harder for the government to control the information.

- Many people and organizations - also Thai - working on solutions for the farmers. I've seen a few of them who really take a holistic approach, actually considering the problems that farmers are solving with burning, and coming up with solutions that are cheaper and better _for the farmers_. This is the missing piece in the current government ban approach - government is banning things without providing an alternative. But the alternatives are being developed. The pyramid compost scheme, and the pollution free ovens are two of them. I am sure there's more, if technology and brains are applied, this problem is solvable.

[DM07]

No...it is not the return of the haze- problem!

It's repeated stupidity by people who don't give two hot sh1ts about the environment and anyone around them and the return of the complete non- capability of any government- official to deal with this BS!

End of!

[Oziex1]

I guess we bailed out just in time again this year... on the beach now.

There are some interesting developments happening - everyone who is interested in this problem, and by that I mean all of you who are reading this or posting here, should know about these, and pay attention to them, and support them:

- Government bans are apparently working, even if only in limited ways. Many have held the view it couldn't work because it's not enforceable and/or the smog comes from outside the country. This is very good news! It's easy to see that pollution levels were way down during the ban this year.

- People - Thais - living in the north get more and more pissed off about this. This campaign is all over my facebook, and there are many others like it:

https://m.facebook.com/Bye-Bye-SMOG-1595770327403770/

I have been witnessing this every year, it is getting a little stronger every year. More social media use makes it harder for the government to control the information.

- Many people and organizations - also Thai - working on solutions for the farmers. I've seen a few of them who really take a holistic approach, actually considering the problems that farmers are solving with burning, and coming up with solutions that are cheaper and better _for the farmers_. This is the missing piece in the current government ban approach - government is banning things without providing an alternative. But the alternatives are being developed. The pyramid compost scheme, and the pollution free ovens are two of them. I am sure there's more, if technology and brains are applied, this problem is solvable.

Good post, I hope it catches on all over.

[CLW]

"Officials seek for cooperation from the farmers to hold off their land clearing operations"

Jeez, are we in primary school or what? Always the this please, urge, advised, bla bla

Everyone who has been for some time knows that Thais don't give a f.... about this.

There need to be heavy fines etc. otherwise they won't listen.

Same goes for the growing of off-season rice.

In my very own opinion, these people need to be ruled by a strong leader and with heavy restrictions.

[CLW]

I am sure there's more, if technology and brains are applied, this problem is solvable.

Are you dreaming? You're in Thailand.

These two things don't work here

[SOTIRIOS]

...I remember living in Chiang Rai over 10 years ago.....

...visibility on the highway was under 20 meters....

....like driving through clouds.....

[David in the north]

Near MaeChan the smoke today is once again very bad, However, no one in our locality has been burning, but the wretched stuff is blowing in from somewhere. Most people seem to have co-operated with the no burning, but I have never heard of anyone who did burn being fined or even warned.

[davidhen]

I am considering visiting Chiang Mai, but am concerned about the smog problem. Are there specific weeks/months when I should not go?

[ujayujay]

Shipyard this irresponsible polluters to jail. We live in the 21st century and the burning of the fields is no longer necessary for the fertilization. There are much better and cleaner solutions.

[clockman]

Talk talk, every year no change. Thailand is slowly sinking. Other Asean countries forging ahead.

[helpisgood]

I am considering visiting Chiang Mai, but am concerned about the smog problem. Are there specific weeks/months when I should not go?

I think the smokey season starts in mid to late Feb and ends in late April...normally.

Maybe someone has some stats, but I think those are roughly the bad times to go for air quality.

[Stargeezr]

The yearly haze of Thailand keeps me from ever wanting to go there and live in that

part of Thailand. I would rather spend a bit more money and live near the ocean.

Asia is always going to be Asia, and I do not see any change in my lifetime.

Good luck to those who live in Thailands North or areas that are affected by the haze.

Geezer

[canopy]

I am considering visiting Chiang Mai, but am concerned about the smog problem. Are there specific weeks/months when I should not go?

Views are typically limited to one extent or another by air pollution from October to May when it typically dry and burning is rampant. The pollution reached harmful levels this year starting in February and appears will continue to May. Not everyday reaches the harmful level, but some days during this period it triggers government warnings to stay indoors with all doors and windows shut, no exercising, and wear face masks when outside. If you want the best air quality, go during the rainy season months. I would recommend staying away from the area until July or August perhaps being the best month. The reason being that waiting until the rainy season has been underway for a while not only beats the smoke pollution out of the air but also means the greenery is much better.