BANGKOK, 13 March 2015 – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has detected several small areas with a relatively high temperature known as hot spots which might be the cause of the ongoing haze crisis in the North.
Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Suphot Tovichakchaikul disclosed that 209 hot spots have been found in 42 provinces across the country, adding that these spots may be the source of wildfires and haze in Myanmar and northern Thailand.
The Pollution Control Department meanwhile reported levels of small particulate matter smaller than 10 microns (PM10) have declined in many parts of the North.
Areas where levels of PM10 remain above the safety level of 120 micrograms per cubic meter include Mae Sot district in Tak province, Muang district and Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province, Muang district in Chiang Mai province and Muang district in Mae Hong Son province.
Local people have been urged to refrain from slash-and-burn farming in order to lessen the intensity of the crisis.
