Widespread sugarcane burning continues uninterrupted by local authorities
Burning of sugarcane by farmers in several provinces is increasing airborne pollution, affecting local residents,
and officials appear to be powerless or reluctant to intervene to stop the practice.
The flouting of an order banning the practice, in effect since last year, has prompted civic groups and media organizations in Phetchabun province to protest the illegal practice which, they claim, is threatening people’s health, especially that of children, and is affecting local businesses.
The groups, led by Mr. Pandit Pan-ngern, submitted an open letter to Phetchabun’s governor on January 14th,
questioning the competency of officials to address the problem of sugarcane burning. The groups also demanded that number of sugarcane plantations in the province be reduced.
Burning of sugarcane has also become widespread in Sa Kaew province and has been going on for weeks,
apparently without any local agencies stepping in to stop the illegal practice.
He said smoke and dust from the burning process have affected the other plants in surrounding areas and threatened people’s health, a
dding that he has not seen any authorities making any effort to stop the burning.
Widespread sugarcane burning continues uninterrupted by local authorities – Thai PBS World