King concerns over haze situations in Thai North

BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) - His Majesty King Bhuminol Adulyadej has expressed his concerns for his subjects in the Thai North who are being affected by haze pollution. Distorn Vajarodaya, chairman of Rajaprajanugroh Foundation under the Royal Patronage told journalists that he is visiting the northern region, in response to His Majesty the King's concerns, to monitor the haze situation and give some technical advices to help solve the problem more effectively. Haze in the northern Thai region remained critical on Saturday, especially in Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Phayao provinces, where dust particulate levels were measured above 250 micrograms per cubic meter, far above the safety standard of 120 micrograms per cubic meter. In a related development, Director of Royal Rain-Making Office for Upper North Region Song Klinpatoom said that the “Super King Air” aircraft was carrying out a renewed rain-making operation in Chiang Mai Saturday afternoon, after operations over the past five days had failed to create rain due to low humidity. In another development, Seni Jittakasem, governor of the southern Trang province, has issued an official announcement, seeking local people's cooperation in preventing or containing bushfires in seven localities in four districts during the current dry season. Meanwhile, Thai government combined forces have arrested 29 Cambodian villagers near the Thai border in Aranyaprathet of the eastern Sa Kaeo province and charged them of illegal entry. The 29 Cambodian villagers, comprising 11 men, 13 women and five girls, told the Thai security officers that they had fled severe drought in their hometown. (TNA)