CHIANG MAI, April 5 (TNA) – The ongoing air pollution due to smoke haze has negative impacts on the tourism and economy of the North during the Songkran festival.
In Chiang Mai province this morning, fine dust was thicker than yesterday’s level because the number of local hot spots rose from 35 yesterday to 75 today. Consequently smog heavily shrouded the northern province.
Lt Gen Supachok Tawatpeerachai, commander of the 3rd Corps, said about 4,000 soldiers were deployed to control forest fires in nine northern provinces.
The Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center was used as a shelter for people to avoid smog. The function has continued for nearly a week and more than 500 people have used it.
Local vendors said that normally many customers would have bought products related to the Songkran festival but their present sales were dropping by half.
In Nan, rain alleviated smog that had blanketed the northern province for longer than two months. People had clearer visibility at a viewpoint at Wat Phra That Khao Noi in Muang district. However, smog remained at an unhealthy level there. Officials reported only one hot spot in Nan this morning. (TNA)
