Thai North blanketed by new wave of haze

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, March 27 (TNA) - Chiang Mai, the heart of the Thai North, has, once again, been blanketed by haze, with small dust particles measured at 140 microgrammes per cubic metre on Thursday, which was much higher than the standard level of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre. The situation is harming the health of locals, prompting Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Province Chana Paengpiboon to call a meeting with concerned agencies to discuss its solutions, while the Royal Thai Air Force used aircraft to help spray water to create more moisture in the air, along with artificial rainmaking conducted by the provincial rainmaking centre. More officials were also mobilised into areas with severe heat, while the deputy governor ordered every relevant agency to stricter control open-air burning of wastes and dried crops. Thin haze was also reported in nearby Lampang Province, with the level of small dust particles measured in the heart of the city at 122 microgrammes per cubic metre, slightly higher the standard level. The Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Department of Pollution Control cautioned, meanwhile, that the levels of small dust particles in the northern region could further rise by another 5-10 per cent, particularly in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lampun, Phayao, Phrae and Nan Province, prompting local authorities to implement tougher measures to prevent open-air burning of wastes and dried crops in their respective areas. (TNA)