BANGKOK, March 20 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha extended moral support to firefighters working in forests because they must fight persistent burning of forests and farmland in many areas.
Atthapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Royal Forest Department, said Gen Prayut were concerned about wildfire fighters because fires erupted in many forest locations. The prime minister also expressed his gratitude towards the fire fighters who worked hard to protect natural resources, Mr Atthapol said.
According to him, the North is hardest-hit by wildfires which happen in all its forests. Forests on mountains are being burnt to expand farmland. The latest fire occurred in Huai Tueng Thao area and Muang Kai sub-district of Mae Taeng district in Chiang Mai province. It worsens thick smog in the province.
The Royal Forest Department is trying to prevent forest encroachment after wildfires.
Isaret Jirarat, wildfire control director in the Central Plains, said forest fires happened in many areas of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces and firefighters were suffering chest pain for inhaling smoke and fine dust. The forest department chief was supplying more protective masks for the officials, he said. (TNA)
