Air quality in 9 northern provinces worse in March-April

Smog problems in nine of Thailand’s northern provinces is forecast to get worse during the next two months due to forest fires. This is despite a complete ban on the open burning of vegetation or trash.

Chongklai Worapongsathorn, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation spoke to local fire fighters before they are sent to the northern provinces to fight forest fires which have been raging for weeks, belching PM2.5 micron dust and smoke particles into the air and threatening the health of the residents in the north and north-eastern population centres.

Helicopters have been placed on standby to provide support and a complete ban on open burning has been imposed up to April 30 in Lampang, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phrae, Phayao, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Tak.

The Pollution Control Department reports that the air quality in the seven northern and two northeastern provinces was below standard and labeled condition orange-red, meaning it now poses health hazards.

The country’s smog problems have been upgraded to a national agenda item by the cabinet on February 12.

Today’s air quality around Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai…