King concerned about haze over Chiang Mai
King concerned about haze over Chiang Mai
26 March 2008
published by www.bangkokpost.com
Thailand — His Majesty the King is concerned about smog caused by forest fires in Chiang Mai province, the groundskeeper of Phu Ping Palace, Amnart Decha said.
Mr Amnart said His Majesty worries smoke and haze from the fires will cause health problems, and has asked his staff to report the details of the haze to the Royal Household Bureau daily.
If the problem is not alleviated, His Majesty will induce artificial rains to reduce the haze, Mr Amnart said.
He added that authorities are trying to prevent forest encroachment, considered a major cause of the fires.
Chiang Mai and the North suffer from heavy haze at the outset of the hot season every year, from thousands of fires set by companies and farmers to clear their land for the imminent crop-planting.
Most years, the haze gets so bad that airlines have to cancel flights to smaller airports in the nothern region.
