Schools Allowed to Close if Air Pollution Worsens

BANGKOK, Jan 19 (TNA) - Schools in Bangkok and surrounding areas can be temporarily closed if air pollution situation in the Thai capital worsened, according to a senior official of Education Ministry. Boonrak Yodphet, secretary-general of the Ministry’s Office of the Basic Education Commissions said his office has been monitoring the situation regularly and has ordered teachers to observe their pupils if they have any symptoms, possibly related to the air pollution. Each school has authority to consider temporary closure if the air pollution situation in its area becomes critical. Meanwhile, Dr. Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, said the number of patients with respiratory problems from poor air quality has not increased, according to the figure from the department of the disease control. (TNA)