Nakhon Si Thammarat wildfire
Nakhon Si Thammarat wildfire
15 August 2012
published by www.nationmultimedia.com
Thailand–– Residents are struggling to cope with the impact of a forest fire that has already ravaged more than 10,000 rai of land around their homes and villages in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The fire started last week and, despite all-out efforts by officials, continued to burn as of press time.
The fire has hurt locals, many of whom make their living from resources they can find in the forest zone.
“The size of the [fishing] catch has dropped significantly,” Sompon Inpayom, a local fisherman, said yesterday.
He also lamented that the forest fire had polluted the air to the point where he was worried about his health.
“While catching fish, I fear for my safety. I am afraid the blaze may change its direction and head towards me,” Sompon said. He lives in the Kumpae area of Tambon Bantoon in Cha-Uat district.
Another villager, Samrerng Rinmee, said she collected krajood (Lepironia articulata Retz Domin), a plant from the forest, to make handicrafts for sale.
“I now have to be brave and go into the forest to collect the remaining krajood. Without it, I won’t have handicrafts to sell and I will starve,” she said.
Supachok Prampoon, who heads a taskforce against illegal logging and the destruction of natural resources, has assigned his team members to several areas to find out who lit fires in the forest zones.
A forest fire in another corner of Nakhon Si Thammarat has eased, making it possible for the airport to resume operations.
On Sunday, the airport suspended its service because smog from the forest fire significantly affected visibility.
