Air Pollution

PM to tackle Northern Thailand’s seasonal haze… again

Published

Friday, September 25, 2020 18:13

FILE PHOTO

The Thai prime minister says he’s working on a plan to tackle Northern Thailand’s seasonal haze problem by cutting back manmade bushfires known to largely contribute to the air pollution. The issue has been broadly covered in Thai and foreign media for years, and been followed up with ministerial visits, promises, and little else.

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke with governors of 17 northern provinces affected by seasonal haze, saying that he plans to supply villagers and local organisations with equipment, but reports did not go into much detail about what tools locals would get. He says authorities and state agencies need to step in to help combat the haze problem, suggesting that provincial governors head the local fight against wildfires.

“It’s important to eradicate the root cause of wildfires that result from villagers’ way of life… Even more farming space should be provided to farmers who need it to protect natural resources from being destroyed.”

Prayut added that it’s important for state agencies to collaborate on the firefighting effort and said members of the public can help raise awareness about wildfires.

The annual haze/smoke/air pollution problem is not just a Thai issue with the neighbouring countries, particularly Myanmar, causing their fair share of the illegal plantation fires, as shown in sharp detail in the satellite images.

Read The Thaiger’s take on the annual ‘smoke’ problem HERE.

SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times

Catch up with the latest daily “Thailand News Today” here on The Thaiger.

Get more from The Thaiger

📱 Download our app on Android or iOS
👋 Have your say on our Thailand forums
🔔 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
📺 Subscribe / Join YouTube for daily shows
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🐦 FOLLOW us on Twitter
📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram

Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.

Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.

Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

Create an Account

11 Comments

Graham White

Friday, September 25, 2020 at 6:56 pm

I heard (correct me if I’m wrong) that a large part of the problem is sugar cane farmers burning before harvesting because it’s cheaper for some reason. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be very easy to fine the processing plants if they accept burnt cane? One guard on the gate would cover a large area. Mind you, in Thailand more likely you would have one very rich guard!

Log in to Reply
Sam

Friday, September 25, 2020 at 8:17 pm

Apportion the blame to local government and Myanmar, that way he doesn’t need to do anything himself as it’s not his fault.
Drones, efficient Police and huge fines would do the job, it’s not Rocket Science

Log in to Reply
sam thompson

Friday, September 25, 2020 at 8:24 pm

The song remains the same

Log in to Reply
Somchai

Friday, September 25, 2020 at 11:06 pm

Arsehole.

Log in to Reply
Richard Hamel

Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 7:56 am

I really wish that writers would retire the word “haze” with regards to northern Thailand’s toxic air. “Haze” minimizes the gravity of the problem: makes it sound more like a foggy sunrise on the coast instead of PM 2.5 levels of between 200-800 that is literally killing people in numbers far worst then COVID-19.

Log in to Reply
- Paul D McCarty
  
  Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 1:42 am
  
  I agree, but you are asking for honesty in this story. Honesty would suggest doing something about it to help the citizens. Governments today are rarely honest or interested the the health of its citizens.
  
  Log in to Reply
Strider

Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 8:20 am

Rake the forest! According to trump anyway.
seriously, plow it under and incorporate it into the soil to decompose.

Log in to Reply
Mark

Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 9:30 am

Make a fine of 1 milion baht and it will end very fast.

Log in to Reply
Toby Andrews

Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 9:49 am

Why is it happening now and not years ago?
Maybe it is exhaust from motor vehicles. There are many more than years ago.
If that is the case make it the law all motors, including industrial motors, are fitted with catalytic converters.

Log in to Reply
- TS
  
  Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 1:42 pm
  
  The dickhead been saying that for years. Nothing will change except the size of his bank roll. And no, its not seasonal haze. It’s smoke, toxic air, hazardous aqi levels, pollution. You and your crony gov will never do a damn thing about it. Quit sweet talking the public
  
  Log in to Reply
Paul D McCarty

Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 1:44 am

I agree, but you are asking for honesty in this story. Honesty would suggest doing something about it to help the citizens. Governments today are rarely honest or interested the the health of its citizens.

Log in to Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Caitlin Ashworth

Caitlin Ashworth is a writer from the United States who has lived in Thailand since 2018. She graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies in 2016. She was a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette In Massachusetts. She also interned at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia and Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida.

Up Next

Thai Chamber of Commerce urges visa amnesty to be extended after today’s deadline

Don't Miss

Chiang Mai man charged with murdering baby daughter because he wanted a son