Smog seen in northern province amid drought

BANGKOK, Feb 20 (TNA) -- Thick white smog has been seen in the northern province of Lampang amid worries by Thai government agencies, according to officials of the Pollution Control Department. Dust particles in Lampang have occurred since February 10 and were measured at the highest level at 208 micrograms per cubic metre, exceeding the required standards of 120 micrograms per cubic metre. The situation improved and return to normal early Saturday, officials said. Realising that smog problem would arrive sooner than expected this year and would worsen than last year, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Gen Surasak Kanchanarat on Friday presided over the launching of a centre tasked with monitoring bush fires and smog problems in the North. Concerned officials at the Centre will meet every Monday and probably would hold meetings more frequently if the problems deteriorate in future. Gen Surasak said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha was concerned and had allocated about 93 million baht to his ministry to tackle the problems. The Ministry has joined forces with army and every concerned government agency in informing villagers in the North to help prevent bush fires caused by slash and burn incidents, said Gen Surasak. In 2015, a total of 78 persons were arrested and charged with burning forest trees in the region, he said, adding that the situation is expected to become worse in March and requests have been made for the army and air force officials to help prevent the problem. (TNA)