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Haze Crisis in Chiang Rai Worsens as Burning Resumes

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Mae Sai in Chiang Rai recorded 281 mcg per cubic metre

Mae Sai in Chiang Rai recorded 281 mcg per cubic metre

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CHIANG RAI – Yesterday, the Pollution Control Department revealed that the PM10 level was highest in Chiang Rai town at 293 micrograms per cubic metre.

Mae Sai in Chiang Rai recorded 281 mcg per cubic metre and Mae Chaem in Chiang Mai 199 mcg per cubic metre. Air pollution graphs show that the haze has intensified in many provinces.

Amnart Chermlae, Natural Resources and Environment director at the Chiang Rai Provincial Office, said severe haze remains in the province because the 60-day ban on people burning their fields had ended. So, burning had resumed.

“We detected a sharp rise in hotspot numbers after the burning ban was lifted last Friday. The number of hotspots rose to more than 200 within one day, so the haze problem greatly intensified in Chiang Rai,” Amnart explained.

The law was strictly enforced during the 60 days from mid-February to mid-April. People found burning leftover litter from farms, or garbage in an open area, were fined up to Bt2,000 or faced up to a month in jail.

Amnart said people feared the strict law, so when the ban was finally lifted they resumed burning their fields again because it is the easiest way to prepare land for new crops. This led to many new hotspots during long Songkran break.

He also said that normally during this time of the year, there would be rain from summer storms to clear dust particles from the air, but this year Chiang Rai had received no rain at all during April.

However, government meteorologist Surangkana Chongsawat said that this year’s summer storm pattern was still normal. But these occurred in the east and southern parts of the North, while severe haze lingered in the Upper North.

“We have to understand the nature of a summer storm. Unlike normal downpours in the rainy season, which cover large areas, a summer storm causes rainfall in a small area with a combination of hail and strong gusty winds, so it may not relieve the haze situation,” Surangkana said.

With the haze season in the North very long and brutal, people in Mae Sai district have started an online campaign “PrayForMaesai” to urge authorities to seriously tackle the problem. The campaign was initiated by the Mae Sai Creative Group (‘Mae Sai Sangsan’).

The group said even though the authorities applied strict laws to prevent burning, they could not solve the problem and local people must endure this every year. But something had to be done to send a message to policy-makers to seriously counter the problem, the group said.

People participating in the campaign have begun posting pictures of themselves with facemasks on social networks, with the hashtag #PrayForMaesai.

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Meanwhile, The Prime Minister has expressed his concerns over the haze situation in Northern provinces, urging agencies to take control of the situation and is set to visit the affected areas next week, according to a spokesman.

Government Spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd stated that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his concerns over the well being of the general public affected from the haze situation in the Northern region, especially in Chiang Mai province.

The Prime Minister is set to visit Chiang Mai Province to meet with the general public, and to oversee the mitigation operations in the affected areas on 27 April 2016. The province’s ban of burning activities has been lifted to allow farmers to burn forest areas in preparation for the upcoming cultivation season.

The spokesman said the Prime Minister has ordered governors of the affected provinces to closely communicate with the general public to create an understanding regarding the situation, as the enforcement of legal measures alone might be insufficient, while authorities are urged to take care of the public’s health during the situation.

The general public affected from the haze situation can call the 1784 hotline for assistance.

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM, AYUTHAI NONNITIRAT

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Chiang Rai Man Kills Woman’s Infant Daughter When She Refuses His Sexual Advances

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Chiang Rai Man Kills Woman's Infant

Police in Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai Province have arrested a 50 year old man after the threatened to rape a 20 year-old woman and the proceeded to murder her 2 and half month old baby.

Police with doctors from Wiang Kaen Hospital and the Chao Luang Wiang Kaen Welfare Association were summoned to the scene of the incident to a 2-story cement house, Village No. 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai

On arrival they found Ms. Chanikarn, age 20, in a state of distress crying uncontrollably beside her 2 and a half month baby girl (Linlada) that was dead on the floor.

After calming Ms. Chanikarn, the child’s mother, said that at approximately 2:30 p.m she was out to collect diapers that had been dried in front of the house, while her 2 and a half month old daughter was sleep on the ground floor of the house.

She said she was suddenly approached by a Mr. Lee, about 40 years old, who lived on the opposite side of the road. He came towards her and grabbed her arm and threatened her saying if she didn’t sleeping with him he will go and kill his daughter.

Miss Chanikan refused and ran away, then Mr. Lee then walked into the house and grabbed Ms. Linlada’s leg, smashing the child’s head against the cement floor of the house. The infant died immediately.

Mr. Lee then just walked away and returned to his own home, leaving Miss Chanikan and her dead baby.

When police went to Mr. Lee’s home he immediately confessed killing the infant and was taken to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further questioning.  Under caution he told police that he was sexually attracted to Miss Chanikan‘s and when her husband leave for work he took the opportunity to approach her.

He said when he saw her husband leave he crossed that road and found Miss Chanikan in the yard alone, he then threatened her to sleep with him, saying he would kill her child if she didn’t have sex with him. However when she refused he flew into a fit of rage walked into her home and murdered he baby. He said he was out of control with rage.

After killing the infant he walk across the street to his home and waited for the police to arrive. The police have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted rape. He is being held without bail at the local remand center.

Meanwhile, Miss Chanikan and her family were preparing a religious burial ceremony for the child.

Other Chiang Rai News:

Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

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Police in Chiang Rai Launch Crackdown on Cyber Criminals in Golden Triangle

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Police in Chiang Rai Launch Crackdown on Cyber Criminals in Golden Triangle

CHIANG RAI: Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.

On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.

His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, Assigned Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Police/Deputy Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, has launched the operation ‘Bombing the Thieves’ Bridge’ in collaboration with the CAT Office, G., mobile phone network operators AIS DTAC TRUE NT, and local security agencies to cut the mobile phone signal and WiFi internet that criminals illegally use to deceive Thai citizens.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division

Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai stated that they will begin pressing the first action of the ‘Explosion of Thieves’ Bridge’ in Chiang Rai Province toward the thieves’ base of operations in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

The territory surrounding King Roman in Laos. King Roman is now a full-service entertainment destination with an airport that welcomes travelers from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, he explained.

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai, this operation will have no influence on honest people along the Thai border, and it will only target cyber criminals.

They will also increase the arrest and prosecution of unlawful service towers, such as SIM booths, which allow gangs register SIM cards to swindle the people. Dealing with criminal organizations of foreigners and Thais who band together to deceive and damage Thais.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended more than three million SIM cards on July 16 because the holders had not verified their identities with their mobile phone operators by the deadline, in accordance with the NBTC’s measures to combat alleged fraudsters’ mule accounts.

The names of the holders of 80 million mobile phone numbers used for mobile banking transactions did not match the names associated with the mobile banking accounts.

The NBTC would require mobile phone companies to authenticate SIM card holders and the names of their mobile banking accounts. The verification procedure is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.

In addition, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police have collaborated to combat illegal telecom towers throughout the country’s borders, disconnecting signals at 465 places, altering antenna direction at 470 towers, and dismantling antennas at 179 locations.

They are certain that the move will disrupt contact center gangs and other types of technology-based crime.

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Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

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Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

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Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete.

Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete. The officer was slashed in the right leg with the machete.

According to police, the culprit, known only as Mr. Toon, had been harassing local villagers in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, threatening them with a knife and using violet insults.

The village headman arrived on the scene to try to calm Mr. Toon, but he was shouting hysterically and taking swipes at him with the machete, so he contacted the police.

When the responding officer arrived at the site about 9 p.m., he attempted to calm the man, but he instead assaulted the officer, slashing his right leg with the machete. In self-defense, the cop had to fire his gun at Mr. Toon, striking him in the chest.

Mr. Toon and the policeman were taken to Mae Chan Hospital, where Mr. Toon died of a gunshot wound. Pol Sgt. Sutthikiat Phanomphraisakul was released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches for his injuries.

Local police received a tip around 9.30 p.m. yesterday that a guy was causing mayhem in the village. When authorities arrived, they discovered 28-year-old Toon strolling along a public road, holding a large knife and threatening people. Mae Chan district officials attempted to contain the incident.

During a search of Mr. Toon’s home, authorities discovered methamphetamine consumption equipment. Locals told authorities that the man was addicted to Yaba (Methamphetamine) and an alcoholic.

The authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine Toon’s motivations and whether any underlying issues contributed to his violent outburst.

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