NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Aug 1 (TNA) — The government has declared Chian Yai, Hua Sai and Chalerm Phrakiat districts of Nakhon Si Thammarat province disastrous zones due to the ongoing fire at the Khuan Khreng peat forest.
Visiting the southern province on Thursday, Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Bunyamanee told local authorities to make the declaration so that an emergency fund could be spent to cope with the impacts of the fire.
The heaviest impact was reported in Moo 7 and Moo 8 villages in Karaket and Khao Phrabat sub-districts of Chian Yai districts.
The fire was destroying about 200 rai of land including the forest and local residents’ farmland. Sixty-three villagers developed respiratory problems and 23 of them got seriously ill. Affected people were evacuated.
The deputy interior minister was informed that fire returned to the peat forest two months ago after a three-year break due to water shortage. Local authorities said they were containing the fire and a water retention project should prevent the forest fire in the future. (TNA)
