CHIANG MAI, 17 March 2015 – Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dapong Ratanasuwan has called for more stringent enforcement of the law to deter slash-and-burn practices, which contribute to the haze pollution in the North.
General Dapong was in Chiang Mai on Monday to inspect the haze situation in the districts of Chom Thong, Mae Cham and Samoeng where the air particulate matter readings have exceeded the acceptable level. After his aerial inspection, the minister had a meeting with representatives of relevant agencies from 10 Northern provinces to seek measures to alleviate the haze blanketing the North. Gen. Dapong told meeting participants who gathered at Chiang Mai City Hall that more stringent law enforcement was needed to deter burning.
On Monday, the haze blanketing the runway at Chiang Mai airport caused four flights to be diverted. Two aircraft diverted to Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang Airport whereas the other two returned to their departure airports – Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. It was reportedly the first time this year that pilots landing aircraft at Chiang Mai Airport decided not to land because of the hampered runway visibility caused by the haze.
