Thread: Sixty day burning ban to curtail smoke and haze begins February 20 in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Governor Pawin Chamniprasart announced the start of the annual 60 day ban on burning in Chiang Mai at a recent committee meeting. He called on the private sector, schools and other organizations to help prevent fires during the period that will end April 20, 2017.

Chiang Mai governor urges organizations involved to prevent forest fires within 60 days

The Governor said that officials have appointed patrol units and urged all concerned to stop any fires in the Chiang Mai area and to inform officials about burning. People caught burning will be prosecuted. He added that an education campaign informing farmers and others of the penalties and asking for cooperation to not burn fields and forests. They have also included information on the health hazards the annual smog brings to local people.

The Governor added that the word has been given that all sectors involved will be making public announcements that from February 20 – April 20 no burning will be allowed anywhere.

Anybody who sees any burning activity can report to 053-112-236, 053-232-019, 053-525-128, 053-271-610 or the Chiang Mai Police at 191. For more information, visit ???????????... or CCDC CMU.

Chiang Mai News

Haze Looms Over Chiang Rai as Burning Continues Despite 60 Day Burning Ban

CHIANG RAI – Despite recent warnings and a ban on all burning, there are still reports of burning activities in Mae Fa Luang district of Chiang Rai province, causing haze along mountain ranges.

District chiefs and community leaders are now going door to door to inform the locals of the ban, which was issued on February 17th and is in effect until April 17th.

Chiang Rai governor Boonsong Techamaneesatit said the province aimed to reduce the haze problem by 30 per cent this haze season with the 60 day ban and that community leaders were ordered to create a good understanding among local people and ask them not to burn during the burning ban period.

Boonsong said if we find anyone violating the rule during this period, they will be punished by the law and that there would be a Bt3,000 cash reward for anyone who provide information pinpointing people breaking the ban.

more Haze Looms Over Chiang Rai as Burning Continues Despite 60 Day Burning Ban | Chiang Rai Times English Language Newspaper

Originally Posted by misskit

Bt3,000 cash reward for anyone who provide information pinpointing people breaking the ban

That should do it.

A good time to visit Chiang Mai then.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

A good time to visit Chiang Mai then.

Not with eyesight as apparently poor as yours.

Your point all knowing one?

And he also banned all flying pigs? what planet are these idiots on?

The ban was way to late. Even up here in the Chiang Kong area, 2 hours away, people have been falling sick. The elderly are suffering the most.

I am sure hospital admissions have increased due to respiratory issues.

our aged friend has been sick as a dog for the last 9 days.
Took her to the clinic and, yes, it's the air pollution.

The Doc. is a friendly bloke and said it's much worse this year.
Respiratory ailments every where.
My wife has been bad for 2 weeks now.
And, having a bit of a drive about this afternoon, the stupid bastards are still burning here and there.

Chiang Mai itself has only started to get a bit smoggy in the last week. Still not too bad.

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

The ban was way to late. Even up here in the Chiang Kong area, 2 hours away, people have been falling sick. The elderly are suffering the most.

I believe it's long overdue for the good farmers of the mountainous north to explore alternatives as to dispose of their seasonal off-byproduct.

Putting periodic bans towards the activity ain't gonna resolve the problem.

Is there even a Thai word for change?

People in Chiang Mai urged to help Govt fight wildfires -

CHIANG MAI, 21 February 2017 (NNT) - Chiang Mai province is campaigning against toxic smog caused by wildfires. Burning is prohibited for 60 days starting from 20 February 2017.

More than 700 people from many organizations in the province on Tuesday participated in an activity to campaign against wildfire smog. The activity was aimed at encouraging people in Chiang Mai to take part in preventing and fighting wildfires in at-risk areas.

At the event, Chiang Mai Governor Pawin Chamniprasat gave new wildfire suppression equipment to wildland firefighters. He stressed that the public are strictly prohibited from burning in the 60-day period, starting from 20 February -20 April.

http://nwnt.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/News....MAFi8Pk3.dpuf

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

The ban was way to late. Even up here in the Chiang Kong area, 2 hours away, people have been falling sick. The elderly are suffering the most.

I believe it's long overdue for the good farmers of the mountainous north to explore alternatives as to dispose of their seasonal off-byproduct.

Putting periodic bans towards the activity ain't gonna resolve the problem.

Agreed, the bans don't work. They don't seen to be enforced and are of too short a duration.
On a personal note, just as my wife seems to be getting better I discover I haven't managed to avoid it and am coughing and spluttering all over the place. This could get interesting.

Found this website the other day. Need to play arround a bit in order to navigate properly.

Air Pollution in Chiang Mai: Real-time Air Quality Index Visual Map

Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time PM2.5 Air Quality Index (AQI)

Right now the level is at 112

Chang Mai
101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Lampang is even worst right now Level 152
151-200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion