March 27, 2008
BANGKOK - Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampun and Mae Hong Son are battling a haze which has blanketed parts of the region after the annual burning of wood and agricultural waste.
Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai which are famous among tourists and trekkers are suffering from poor air quality because of the smog, which descended earlier this month.
Air quality in Thailand is measured in micrograms of particles of matter per cubic metre, with 120 considered unhealthy, and 300 considered dangerous.
Chiang Rai recorded levels of up to 137.9 on Monday, while Chiang Mai saw levels soar to 171.3 on the same day, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).
Mae Hong Son and Lamphun provinces are also affected.
Air quality was returning to normal levels on Wednesday.
Public Health Minister Chiya Sasomsub plans to give awat 200,000 face masks to villagers affected by the haze and ask local hospitals to be on alert.
The Thai government declared a state of emergency in much of its northern region in March last year after forest fires and slash-and-burn farming sent a cloud of smoke and dust across eight provinces, according to AFP.
