Chiang Rai News
Where burning is a “Way of Life” – Living with Northern Thailand’s Haze
Fire started in the Chiang Rai forest have already scorched 16 ha of land
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CHIANG RAI – The popping sounds become louder as we traipse up the mountain. Every few steps, I slide backwards on the ash underfoot, flailing at the charred remains of tall vegetation around. Suddenly, the forest blaze comes into view as a flaming tree on the ridgeline emits a thundering crack.
Firefighters within our party surge forward. It has been 24 hours since the fire started in the Chiang Rai forest and flames have already scorched 16 ha of land. It was probably started by a hunter to displace wildlife, they say.
Most of the smog is caused by highland corn farms near the borders that Thailand shares with Myanmar and Laos.
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Such fires are one of the causes of choking smog that blankets Thailand’s northern provinces like Chiang Rai during the dry season from February to April every year. Another is the burning of agricultural waste, which is considered quicker and cheaper than trucking trash to faraway disposal facilities on this mountainous terrain.
Most of the smog is caused by highland corn farms near the borders that Thailand shares with Myanmar and Laos.
Officially there is a 60-day no-burning rule until April 15, but enforcement is difficult because burning is considered a “way of life†here.
“Even if a fire starts in the forest, the locals usually know who did it,†says Dr Nion Sirimongkonlertkun, a lecturer at Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. But they would be ostracised by the community if they told on their neighbours.
hai forestry officials and soldiers attempt to control a forest fire
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According to the firefighters, this same forest in Mae Khao Tom sub-district was set alight last year.
“If you don’t love nature, you can’t do this work,†says Mr Kasemchai Saenchang, as he takes a break from scraping the undergrowth with a large broom to create a firebreak. “Once, when I was fighting a bushfire, the wind suddenly changed direction. I could barely breathe in the smoke.â€
The 25-year-old man belongs to a forest fire unit called Sua Fai, or “Fire Tigersâ€. Their equipment appears modest compared to the giant blazes they battle: Rubber fire-beaters, 14-litre strap-on tanks of water, as well as a leaf blower.
Experts say the situation will not improve until the farmers are introduced to more sustainable crops as well as farming methods.
Until then, residents in the lowlands would have to grapple with the choking smog, which doctors warn could have longer-term effects.
The thick haze caused by farmers burning off secondary growth has been a health problem
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This is especially since Thailand sets lower air quality standards than global benchmarks. The Kingdom’s Pollution Control Department classifies air quality unacceptable if the amount of PM10 pollutants in the air exceeds 120 micrograms per cubic metre. The World Health Organisation sets 50mg per cu m as a guideline.
PM10 particles are those that are 10 micrometres or less in diameter.
This disparity makes a big difference in what sets off alarms. On March 15, for example, while PM10 levels exceeded 120 mg per cu m in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Phayao provinces, they also exceeded 50 mg per cu m in Lampang, Nakon Sawan, Nan and Phrae.
Meanwhile, measurements of PM2.5 – finer particles that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and considered more dangerous to health – are not revealed on its website.
Current health statistics are a cause for worry: The incidence of tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer in the north is higher than in other regions.
Between 2010 and 2012, the incidence of these types of cancer among men in the north was 36.6 for every 100,000 persons, compared to the national mean of 22.7, according to data from the National Cancer Institute. Â Among women, the incidence was 21.5, compared to 10.1. Lamphun province topped the national charts among men with 44.6.
According to Dr Rungsrit Kanjanavanit, a cardiologist at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medicine, the  rate of admission for heart attacks at his institute’s hospital also spikes by 50 per cent during the annual smog season in the north.
The doctors add, however, that more detailed research would need to be done before the ailments can be directly linked to the smog.
By Tan Hui Yee – Straitstimes.com
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
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
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. 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.
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.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
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.
Other related news:
Chiang Mai Police Offer Cash Reward After Officer Killed
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime/chiang-mai-police-offer-reward/
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