Thread: Over 3,400 people in Chiang Rai treated for respiratory conditions last week

More than 3,400 people in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai, including 372 in Mae Sai district alone, were treated for respiratory conditions between March 19th and 26th, as they struggle to cope with choking air pollution caused by forest and farm fires.


Meanwhile, Chiang Rai governor Puttipong Sirimat said yesterday (Monday) that he will not yet declare Mae Sai district a disaster zone, as proposed by the business sector and civic groups, for fear that the measure will have a negative impacts on a lot of people, but he will explore other options.


Dr. Watchapong Kamla, the provincial health chief, disclosed that 3,478 people, including 372 in Mae Sai, have visited state hospitals in the province with respiratory conditions, such as sore throats and nasal irritations.


The governor said that the provincial officials have deployed trucks to spray water into the air, which can ease the dust problem to a certain extent. He is due to visit Mae Sai district today to hold talks with district officials and representatives of civic societies to address the problem.


Today, the PM2.5 dust in Chiang Rai province remains way above Thailand’s 50 micron safety level, with the average reading in Wiang Phang Kham sub-district of Mae Sai being 523 microns, with average PM10 readings of 638 microns.


PM2.5 levels in Chiang Khong district, which borders Laos, and in the Mueang district, were measured at over 400 microns for the first time.


The Mae Sai township remains shrouded in a haze so thick that buildings can only be seen from a short distance away.


Meanwhile, it is reported that many park officials and volunteers spent all of yesterday battling forest fires at Doi Chang, in Mae Sruey district, before they managed to bring them under control.


The fires reportedly started in grassland near the viewpoint and quickly spread over a wide area, prompting forest officials to mobilise volunteers to help in limiting their spread.


Over 3,400 people in Chiang Rai treated for respiratory conditions last week | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Interior Ministry refuses to declare polluted Mae Sai a disaster zone

The air pollution in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province has not reached a level that justifies the declaration of a disaster zone or the imposition of a curfew, according to Thailand’s Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda.


He warned that such tough measures may hurt the tourism industry and adversely affect a lot of people.


The business sector and civic societies in Mae Sai have urged the Chiang Rai provincial administration or the government to declare the district a public disaster zone, so resources can be mobilised to cope with the excessively high level of PM2.5 in the district’s atmosphere, mainly caused by forest fires, both local and in neighbouring countries.


Anupong also said that there are no clear criteria defined as to what level of PM2.5 would be considered enough to declare a disaster, adding that, in practice, it may be difficult to set such criteria because airborne dust does not remain static.


The minister said, however, that each provincial governor is authorised to enforce laws to deal with the dust problem, such as limiting the use of cars or tightening controls on emissions from factories.


He said that he has instructed all provinces which are experiencing air pollution to coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment over how to address the problem, as most of the forest fires are occurring in forest reserves.


Interior Ministry refuses to declare polluted Mae Sai a disaster zone | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Chiang Rai Locals Calling for PM 2.5 Dust Solution, Say Worst in Ten Years

Locals in Chiang Rai gathered together calling for a dust pollution solution after the PM 2.5 level is the worst in ten years, according to them.


More than 200 locals in the Mae Sai district led by Mr. Sawetayon Srisamut, vice president of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, gathered together at the Mae Sai District Office this week. They are asking officials to discuss with Myanmar on curbing the burning problems together.


Mr. Sawetayon told Thai media, “We are suffering from the PM 2.5 dust pollution. One of the main sources is caused from agricultural burning both in our country and our neighboring countries, like Myanmar. We need to talk with our neighbor countries about this problem. The main agricultural product being burned is corn.”

“The PM 2.5 dust level this year is the worst in ten years. This week the PM 2.5 dust level has reached 543 micrograms per cubic meter which is dangerous for our health.” Mr. Sawetayon concluded.


The Thai government is considering multiple solutions, including reportedly curfews to stop night burning and more patrols in the area. However, critics have pointed out that with elections dominating the minds of many politicians which will be in May that the severity of the issue is being underestimated.

Chiang Rai Locals Calling for PM 2.5 Dust Solution, Say Worst in Ten Years - The Pattaya News

This morning smells of smoke in Mae Jo. Maybe burning right around me.

Originally Posted by misskit

This morning smells of smoke in Mae Jo. Maybe burning right around me.

You wouldn't believe how clear it was yesterday afternoon.

Now the mountain and the city have disappeared again.

He warned that such tough measures may hurt the tourism industry and adversely affect a lot of people.

the selfish greed of these people is hardly surprising. they are thai after all.

They should buy one of these, like Chiang Mai...

^ That is a joke.

I recognize that as the intersection at Ruamchok. I just left there.

Originally Posted by david44

Even if all thais agree in principle or more likely need financial incentive to stop burning they cannot enforce Burmese burners or lao arsonists

What, the ones being paid by a certain CorPoration who I won't name?

Chiang Rai running out of air purifiers as pollution increases

Air purifiers are running out fast in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai, as wealthier residents scramble to acquire the devices to ease the impacts of the choking air pollution from local and cross-border forest and farm fires.


A Thai PBS reporter in Chiang Rai conducted a random survey of electrical appliance shops and was told that they have run out of air purifiers and do not know when they will be available again.


One shopkeeper said that customers had bought the machines both online and in person, adding that many other people have posted on social media asking where they can find air purifiers, which cost over 10,000 baht each.


Yesterday (Wednesday), villagers in Pa Hung and Mueang Pan sub-districts were evacuated, for fear that forest fires in Doi Luang National Park could spread to their villages, as local fire fighters and volunteers try to control the burning.


Forest fires continue unabated in Lam Nam Kok National Park, in forests above the Mai Ya reservoir in Phaya Mengrai district and in Mae Puem National Park in Mueang district.


Local officials said that fires have been burning for five continuous days, with no signs of abating, due to the dry weather and accumulated plant detritus.


Chiang Rai Governor Puttipong Sirimat said that all available resources, including manpower and equipment, have been deployed to control the fires, but with little success, adding that there are still people lighting fires.


Meanwhile, in Mueang district of Chiang Mai, Dr. Rangsarit Kanjanavanich, a cardiac specialist at the Faculty of Medicine of Chiang Mai University, posted on his Facebook page saying that, since the government is reluctant to declare a disaster in northern provinces, the people should declare it themselves because, as taxpayers, they have a basic right to breathe clean air.


He then urged the people to fend for themselves as best they can until the air pollution has eased.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chiang-...ion-increases/

90 rooms at Chiang Mai Ram hospital were all occupied by people with respiratory distress last week, many of them young.

After a few good days it is worse today than ever. 443. This is fucking ridiculous.

Originally Posted by misskit

After a few good days it is worse today than ever. 443. This is fucking ridiculous.

Based on what I can (and mostly cannot) see, it's definitely the worst day so far this year.

Absolute shite.

Originally Posted by misskit

After a few good days it is worse today than ever. 443. This is fucking ridiculous.

Half that here but still shite.

Same here worst day c300 outside 50 inside with purifier on 24/7, it was seldom used in previous years , I'm glad i got it before this emergency.

As others note it will be a chronic health risk as the smallest particles lodge in airways and lungs

According to AQI its almost 600 up atop the blazes near Pu Chi Fa tourist peak on Lao border about 100kn south of me.

States seem impotent, rains are only hope.

I have discussed a trip to the sea with wife but driving over Songkran seems equally hazardous, If it don't clear soon its fly south.

Much as I enjoy daily bike rides counter productive so its indoor exercise bike and pray for rain.