Smog in Greater Bangkok likely to relieve in Feb

BANGKOK, January 17 (TNA) - People in several areas in Greater Bangkok who have been affected by the hazardous dust, or the particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) that exceeds the safe level of 50 microgram per cubic meter of air, should be relieving from the problem by next month. Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya voiced the assessment on Thursday, noting that all relevant government agencies have actively implemented integrated measures in an attempt to prevent and ease the problem since last August. General Chatchai pointed that the hazardous dust was mainly triggered by the incomplete engine combustion of vehicles on roads and smoke released from industrial plants, as well as outdoor burnings of stuffs by people and meat roasting by roadside food shops or vendors. The deputy prime minister cautioned a new high pressure trough from China that is likely to pass through Thailand over the next seven days should worsen the situation for a short period due to the stagnant air. The deputy premier stressed that he has ordered the Pollution Control Department and other relevant agencies to work together in an integrated system to urgently address the problem and to set up their central video conference center to issue timely reports on the updated situation to the public. Besides, the relevant agencies have been instructed to jointly work out a long time plan to prevent and solve the problem concretely over the next 1-3 years. Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Supoj Tovichakchaikul suggested that people access to the website of his ministry's Pollution Control Department, http://air4thai.pcd.go.th/, to comprehensively check updated reports on the PM2.5 dust in affected areas. (TNA)