Eastern Thailand province suffers smoke from Cambodian forest fires

A province in eastern Thailand is suffering from smoke due to Cambodian forest fires. Smoke from the fires has drifted across the border into large parts of Trat province, with Trat’s governor receiving complaints from the main city district, as well as Klong Yai and Bo Rai districts, Naewna reported yesterday.

The governor, Chamnanwit Teerat, said the governors of Cambodia’s Koh Kong, and Pursat provinces are asking for cooperation to ensure that the fires don’t affect people in Trat. Chamnanwit said…

“The forest fires along the border on Khao Banthat Mountain Range are getting worse and Trat, which usually has good air, is now greatly affected by these fires.”

Chamnawit said that all units are now on alert for the fires possibly spreading across the border.

Meanwhile, the Trat Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office said at noon today the PM2.5 level was higher than the orange threshold, where it can begin to impact health, in four districts. These include Hat Lek in the Khlong Yai district, Thung Nonsi in the Khao Saming district, and Takang and Wang Krachae in the Mueang district.

PM2.5 dust particles are so small that they can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and into the lungs. Short-term health impacts include irritated eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

Exposure to PM2.5 can affect lung function and worsen asthma and heart disease. Studies have linked PM2.5 exposure to increased cardiovascular hospital admissions, emergency department visits and deaths.

PM2.5 dust particles are so small that they will transpire straight through a regular surgical face mask. The only mask that filters out PM2.5 dust particles is an N95 mask.

While Trat is battling with its PM2.5 levels due to the forest fires, meanwhile, Bangkok’s also hit an unhealthy PM2.5 level today. The city was ranked the third worst city in the world for air pollution this morning.

Thailand is continuing to struggle with its air quality across the country.