BANGKOK, 1 April 2015 – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has detected an increase in the number of hotspots in the region, while the haze situation in the northern region is settling, says a ministry official.
The Deputy Permanent-Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Suphot Tovichakchaikul disclosed today on the current situation of the haze disaster in the northern region, that additional hotspots have been detected in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. These hotspots are the potential cause of wildfires and hazes that have been troubling the northern region in the past few months.
According to the MNRE Deputy Permanent-Secretary, the detected hotspots concentrated in Myanmar and Laos, while only a few were detected in Cambodia.
191 hotspots were detected in 46 provinces of Thailand, including Kanchanaburi, Kalasin, Kamphaengphet, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Trat, Tak, Yasothon, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Buriram, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachinburi, Ayutthaya, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Mae Hong Son, Roi Et, Ranong, Lampang, Lampoon, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Saraburi, Sukhothai, Suphanburi, Ang Thong, Udon Thani, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Phayao, Sa Kaeo, Nong Bua Lam Phu, and Amnat Charoen.
Meanwhile, the Department of Water Resources’ Mekhala center reported today’s northern region haze situation to be fair. The overall small particulate matter value (PM10) has continued to decrease, making the air quality index qualify the ‘good’ to ‘moderate’ level.
