CHIANG RAI, 3 FEBRUARY 2013 Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi has been following up on the efforts to control and prevent the haze problem in Thailand’s northern region.
DPM Plodprasop, on Sunday, chaired a meeting in Chiang Rai Province with local officials related to the prevention and the solution for the haze problem in the North.
The meeting was called for to get the latest update on the government’s 100-day ban on all burning activities in the North, put into effect during the months of February and April.
Chiang Rai Governor Pongsak Wangsamer reported to the DPM that there has not been any report on particle dust exceeding the accepted safety level of 120 micrograms per cubic meter in the region yet.
Mr. Pongsak stated that now should be an opportune time for the preparation as the haze problem, likely to occur during this time of the year, has continued to hurt the region’s economy and tourism as well as the health of northern residents.
He added that Thailand is also to collaborate with its neighbors to step up the control of all burning activities in their countries while pressuring related businesses to help dissuade local residents from burning anything when the 100-day ban is in effect.
The Deputy Prime Minister later attended another meeting in Phrae Province to deliver policies and guidelines concerning the prevention of forest fire and haze to related state officials.
