Alert over landslide risk

PHUKET: The Department of Mineral Resources has placed Phuket on a list of provinces that are susceptible to dangerous landslides during the monsoon season. Apichai Chiensirikul, Chief of Mineral Resources at the Phuket Provincial Industrial Office, told the Gazette that his section would inspect the island for areas where landslides were most likely and compile details before the onset of heavy rains, which usually come in August. Along with Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai up north, the department’s list also includes the southern provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani and Phang Nga.