Polluting haze blankets the North

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Farm fires cause heavy pollution

Published: 15 Mar 2013 at 14.56
Online news: Local News

Much of northern Thailand as far south as Saraburi lay under a heavy blanket of haze and smoke Friday from hundreds of fires, mostly set on purpose by farmers in Thailand and Myanmar.

This shot of Chiang Mai taken by MCOT on Thursday shows the extent of haze across the North, caused by fires in Thailand and Myanmar.

The crisis areas were spotted in the far North, the lower North and upper Central provinces. Saraburi, where the air quality index (AQI) touched a dangerous 104 at noon Friday, had an air pollution index of 128 which, roughly translated, means "sensitive groups such as children, older people and asthmatics should stay indoors".

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hillfarang
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Discussion 25 : 16 Mar 2013 at 12.4125
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D@ 15 waters

"It's obvious that the government is doing absolutely nothing to stop the burning except to make a few weak promises they have no intention of keeping."

Simply put, NO Thai government can stop this. It is a cultural practce going back 'forever.'

These fires are started by just about 'everybody.' Sad, but true. That's why I laugh at comment 14 (oldexp)... red shirts indeed! Silly...
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BKK-boy
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Discussion 24 : 16 Mar 2013 at 11.3524
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The Thai government ONLY will wake up and react when the tourist numbers will drop dramatically.
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dao
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Discussion 23 : 16 Mar 2013 at 10.5823
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Every year farmers burn because they too lazy to do anything else .Burning the soil very year will deplete the soil .Then the same farmers shower the soil with pesticide because they they bought the seed from the pesticide company and thats all that will grow .Then they complain about being in debt and come to Bangkok to protest about debt relief .This is a vicious cycle that can be stopped if the governemnt taught farmers how to grow smarter and what to grow .When the governemnt actually help the people instead of prolonging their suffering .
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dougo
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Discussion 22 : 16 Mar 2013 at 10.3122
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It isn't just farmers who are doing the burning. In 2006 I rode my motorbike south from Mae Hong Song to Mae Sariang. At one point I was riding through a tunnel through fire burning on both sides of the road. The area was woodland and the underbrush was afire. Who set it? Maybe the roads/parks department?
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DonAleman
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Discussion 21 : 16 Mar 2013 at 09.1521
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Years ago Scientists proved,beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the field burning does NOT increase next years yield but the farmers don't believe it.
Nobody listens to the govt. - with good reason !
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nui
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Discussion 20 : 16 Mar 2013 at 08.4920
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Every year the same and it is getting worse and worse. Which expat with a sound mind will move to Chiang Mai these days ? But look at the TAT web site and read about Chiang Mai ,which was before one of the best places for expats to settle down. I really feel sorry for those who did and who built their dream house in the affected areas.And all the Thai people, of course, who suffer too. What a petty. If I were governor, I would take responsibility and quit.
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fezman
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Discussion 19 : 16 Mar 2013 at 07.5919
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Disc 13 . It was not as bad in the 70s and 80s because there was only half the population .
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rfukata
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Discussion 18 : 16 Mar 2013 at 07.5718
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is this another China pollution syndrome
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fezman
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Discussion 17 : 16 Mar 2013 at 07.5417
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We're in Isaan and everyone has a hacking cough ,I said dont bother going to the doctor ,you just have to wait till fires stop.smoke here everywhere and ash all o er the car and house everyday , sugar cane farmers are the main prob .as for staying in side ,most people have no air con here and would just sweat to death instead .
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oldairman
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Discussion 16 : 16 Mar 2013 at 07.4216
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Down in the Central region on the east side of the Mae Wong national park ir has been pretty good with only a couple of fires in the park itself that I have seen and couple outside to burn trees down for more farming land.
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