Northern Thailand

New Push to Reduce Wildfires and PM2.5 Haze in Northern Thailand

To help reduce wildfires and the annual haze problem in northern Thailand the government intends to grant tax breaks to enterprises that provide financial assistance to reduce fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 millimetres, or PM2.5, produced by wildfires.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s permanent secretary, Jatuporn Buruspat, stated on Wednesday that the ministry is concerned about haze pollution, which is expected to dominate the central and northern regions from November to March due to a longer drought period caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

Many safeguards have been put in place, but air pollution during the dry season worsens year after year, he says, adding that one option is to stop hot patches in forests once fires start.

The government has compiled a list of the top ten national parks and reserve forests with a history of forest fire devastation. The majority are in the north. Sri Nan National Park in Nan was the hardest devastated by forest fires last year, accounting for approximately 71.95% of the total forest area, he said.

He stated that steps to avoid forest fires have been put in place in close collaboration with national park officials and people in order to reduce the number of hotspots in northern woods. He emphasised that the procedures require financial backing.

Over 2,201 Hotspots Reported Throughout Northern Thailand

According to him, the ministry, the Board of Investment, and the Ministry of Finance have studied the matter and come up with a policy to provide a 200% tax reduction to any company that provides financial support to the project. The National Environment Board will receive the proposal today.

“We need a massive budget to combat forest fires.” A delayed budget may cause problems, thus we have proposed raising funds to support our efforts. “The money will go to local communities and forest officials to control hotspots,” he added, adding that participating businesses should receive more than simply plaudits in return.

The ministry launched a Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) on Wednesday, providing information on haze pollution via its Facebook page, including daily Facebook Live briefings at 2 p.m.

The change is also in response to changes in the air quality index, which raises the safe level of PM2.5 from 50 microgrammes per cubic metre to 37.5/cu mec.

pm2.5 haze northern Thailand

PM2.5 Haze Problem in Northern Thailand

Haze is a regular environmental hazard in northern Thailand, particularly during the dry season, which lasts from late November to April. The haze is mostly created by agricultural activities, such as clearing land for crops by burning fields and woods. This method is known as “slash-and-burn agriculture.”

The following are the main points concerning the haze in northern Thailand:

Burning Practises:

To clear fields, many farmers in northern Thailand utilise fire, which is a cost-effective method of preparing land for planting. Uncontrolled burning, on the other hand, can cause extensive smoke and air pollution.

Impact on Air Quality:

The haze causes poor air quality, which can have major health consequences, particularly for people with respiratory difficulties. It also reduces visibility, which has an impact on transportation and tourism in the region.

Cross-Border Effects:

The smog problem is not limited to Thailand. It frequently affects neighbouring nations such as Laos and Myanmar. This has resulted in regional debates and collaborative initiatives to address the issue.

Government Actions:

To address the issue, the Thai government has implemented restrictions on burning practises, strengthened law enforcement to combat illicit burning, and public awareness efforts. However, considering the pervasive extent of the problem, enforcement can be difficult.

Alternative Practices:

Some efforts have been undertaken to promote alternative, sustainable agricultural practises other than slash-and-burn. These practises try to lessen environmental effect while preserving local communities’ livelihoods.

Environmental Concerns:

Haze can contribute to deforestation and other environmental difficulties in addition to air pollution. It has the potential to intensify forest fires and endanger biodiversity.

Efforts in northern Thailand to control haze involve a combination of regulatory measures, community engagement, and regional cooperation. These initiatives aim to lessen the harmful impact on public health, the environment, and the economy while also providing long-term solutions for local communities.

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

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

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

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.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

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.