Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan has asked people to stop starting fires as smog levels in Chiang Mai reach record highs.
The Deputy PM told the press during an interview at Government House in Bangkok this morning where the air was about 10 to 15 times cleaner than Chiang Mai that while many parties were working on providing a solution to the problem, “people don’t understand” that starting fires is bad.
“I would like to ask for cooperation from the people to help look out for forest fires because it damages health,” the Deputy PM said.
Chiang Mai One notes that PM 2.5 levels in Bangkok above 100 result in massive media attention and concern from all levels of government when it occurs in the capital in December and January. Smog levels in Chiang Mai have been recorded at over 1,000 PM 2.5 in the last few days with higher levels forecast in the coming days.
Prawit’s call follows Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha calling on Chiang Mai Governor Mr. Charoenrit Sanguansat to do more to combat the seemingly never-ending mushroom fires across the province yesterday, March 26.
Photo: Khaosod
