Connect with us

Northern Thailand

Unhealthy Haze from Bush Fires and Burning Hits Chiang Rai Province

Published

on

Air pollution

Thick, unhealthy haze continues to plague much of the North, with reports that Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai is now being effected. PM2.5 levels there exceeded the set safe threshold of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air over the past 24 hours.

On Tuesday PM2.5 levels in Mae Sai were recorded at unhealthy levels from 150 to161. Normal levels should be under 100, according to the health office. As of today PM2.5 levels of 155 were recorded at Chiang Rai – Gaia Station

The Pollution Control Dept on Tuesday reported unsafe PM2.5 levels at many stations it operates in the North.

The worst haze is in the Muang and Mae Mo districts of Lampang province, the department reported.

The worst PM2.5 pollution, was reported in tambon Phra Bat of Muang district in Lampang, followed by tambon Chang Phueak of Muang district in Chiang Mai.

In other provinces, the department reported unsafe smog levels in Nakhon Ratchasima province. This week sugarcane farmers defied a burning ban and set fire to there crops. The set the crops on fire at night to avoid the authorities.

In the capital city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reported unsafe PM2.5 levels in eight districts.

People should work from home

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said employees of private companies should work from home. Saying that this would maybe help reduce the PM2.5 haze.

Mr Anutin, posted the idea on Facebook, saying he would like to see the private sector put this into practice.

For example, he said, a company may start doing this by allowing its staff to work from home on a selected day. By doing so, the company can cut its operating costs while the employees can reduce the use of their cars. This would help them save on transportation costs and also help reduce the PM2.5 problem.

For private companies, working from home is fine, but for the government sector, this may go against regulations. It may take some time to amend them before state agencies can adopt the practice, said Mr Anutin.

The minister said he would discuss the matter with parties in the coalition government to see what can be done. Persuading the government sector to allow their officials to work from home as well.

He also said the Transport Ministry is also thinking about preparing parking areas at all around the capital. Above all so people can park their cars before taking public transport. Parking there cars and taking public transit would also help reduce the PM2.5 haze problem.

 

Continue Reading

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

Published

on

Tubers on Pai River

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

 

Continue Reading

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Published

on

Phayao woman Arrested

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 was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

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

 

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Published

on

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province.

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

Bangkok-Vientiane Inaugural Train Service Launches July 19

Continue Reading

Trending