Northern Thailand
Thailand’s Northern Provinces Prepare for Choking Annual Haze
Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon directed policies to officials in nine northern provinces to prepare for the annual haze, generally hitting the region in the dry season.
He presided over the meeting on preparation to tackle ultra-fine dust at Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Thursday.
The meeting discussed preventive measures against particulate matter air pollution and lessons from the haze crisis earlier this year. The main focus is to control open burning and to intensify operations against forest fires.
Northern Thailand suffers choking smog from February to April, and officials are again fretting over the impact on people’s health.
Prawit said the Environment Ministry would take the lead in coordinating with neighboring countries and related local authorities to monitor the fire problem both in and outside Thailand.
This is unfortunately almost a tradition, from February to April. Northern Thailand cities are hit by haze with smoke and particles. This pollution is not industrial or due to cars but it comes from agriculture and forest fires.
Despite a formal ban, farmers at this time of the year often burn their fields on both sides of the border. Multiply this by the number of their lands, these haze creates a significant pollution dangerous for public health.
Elderly people and people with breathing difficulties are particularly exposed. It is a situation that lasts for years and the authorities have never been able to stop it.
The Haze in Northern Thailand is Caused by a Combination of Factors
The burning of land is the main reason. Slash and burn farming techniques have been common over the centuries in the northern region. As well as neighboring Burma and Laos.
Some years, the smoke from the fires lingers because of climatic conditions. Lower than usual humidity levels, lack of wind and higher than average summer temperatures can all combine to exacerbate the effects of the pollution.
Because of the topography of northern Thailand, the mountains tend to hem in the smoke which nestles in the valleys below.
Although legislation is in place to punish people who set fires illegally, few people are caught or prosecuted. In years where the haze and smoke has become severe. Thai armed forces are also drafted in to help put forest fires.
The smoke and haze affect numerous provinces in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai often makes the headlines during what some expats call the ‘smog season.’ However official statistics over the years show that the pollution is usually more severe in the provinces of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai.
Other provinces in the north are also affected including, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Phayao and Nan.
The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.
After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.
After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.
This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.
Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.
The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.
According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.
Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.
Tourists Tubing on Pai River
People Also Reading:
Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook
Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook
Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.
Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.
When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.
The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.
Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.
She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.
The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.
Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.
According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.
People also reading:
Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution
Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution
Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.
Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.
Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.
A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.
The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.
Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.
Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.
People Also Reading:
Bangkok-Vientiane Inaugural Train Service Launches July 19
-
News3 years agoLet’s Know About Ultra High Net Worth Individual
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Mabelle Prior: The Voice of Hope, Resilience, and Diversity Inspiring Generations
-
Health3 years agoHow Much Ivermectin Should You Take?
-
Tech2 years agoTop Forex Brokers of 2023: Reviews and Analysis for Successful Trading
-
Lifestyles2 years agoAries Soulmate Signs
-
Health2 years agoCan I Buy Ivermectin Without A Prescription in the USA?
-
Movies2 years agoWhat Should I Do If Disney Plus Keeps Logging Me Out of TV?
-
Learning2 years agoVirtual Numbers: What Are They For?