BANGKOK, March 27 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was concerned about harmful levels of fine dust in the North and ordered authorities in northern provinces to seriously solve the problem.
Col Athisit Chaiyanuwat, assistant government spokesman, said Gen Prayut was worried about the severe problem of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM2.5) in the North, especially in Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan and Phayao provinces.
Provincial governors would have to fully mobilize officials from all concerned organizations to cope with smog and if their problems were too difficult, they could seek help from the government, the assistant government spokesman said.
The prime minister was following up closely smoke haze situations and acknowledged reports that officials in affected provinces were spraying water, controlling forest fires and vehicles with black smoke, checking factories and supporting rainmaking, he said.
Fine dust in the North resulted mainly from the burning of forests and weeds. Local people should stop doing so and in the meantime the government asked neighboring countries to cooperate accordingly. Myanmar responded positively to the request, Col Athisit said. (TNA)
