Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha ordered Chiang Mai Governor Mr. Charoenrit Sanguansat to take command of efforts and to do more to tackle numerous fires in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park this morning, March 26.
The fires, that continue to be lit, have torn through various parts of the national park and have contributed to Chiang Mai having some of the worst air pollution on the planet.
A PM 2.5 measurement station at Chiang Mai University’s Mae Hia campus this morning topped out at 1,000 ug/m3 just after 8 a.m., the highest level the machine can record meaning that the actual level was likely high again.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said that the PM and Minister of Defense are currently monitoring the situation. Further, the Ministry of Interior and the Royal Thai Army had been ordered to accelerate their support of the fire fighting mission including the deployment of additional fire-fighting helicopters.
The PM’s office also noted that young children, the elderly and those with medical conditions are being urged to stay at home to avoid being exposed to the smog.
Photo: Thairath
