Emergency BAN on fires in CM and region

Fire ban imminent as North chokes on dust

Flights cancelled because of poor visibility; four provinces covered by smoke for more than a week

The government is expected to declare emergency pollution-control zones in four northern provinces today as fires shroud the region in a thick pall of smoke.

Commercial flights have been cancelled because of a lack of visibility. The haze is caused by agricultural burn-offs and refuse fires.

Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong na Ayudhaya said he would seek Cabinet approval for an emergency ban on burning and other measures.

Air pollution from fires is worsening in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan and Mae Hong Son.

Kasem said control measures were devised by the ministry yesterday following an inspection by officials.

Ministry permanent secretary Pitipong Puengboon na Ayutthaya said the prime minister could enforce bans using the Environ-mental Protection Act 1992. The act allows for emergency bans to halt environmental damage.

If the Cabinet imposes the ban, it will be the second time the power has been used, he said. The first was almost a decade ago when then prime minister Chuan Leekpai used it to ban inland shrimp farming on the Central plains.

In addition to the ban the ministry wants to establish a call centre for residents to report burning and to assist people suffering from respiratory problems.

A dense layer of smoke has covered the four provinces for more than a week. In addition to agricultural and refuse burning, forest fires have added to the haze.

Chiang Mai governor Wichai Sri-kwan did not wait for the central government moves and declared Phrao and Chaiya Prakan districts disaster zones.

Chaiya Prakan district chief Chokedee Amornwat said declaring the areas disaster zones guaranteed money to fight the crisis.

He said forest fires and not residential burning caused the smoke.

PB Air yesterday cancelled its two flights between Bangkok and Nan, while Nok Air cancelled its Bangkok-Chiang Mai return flight. There was no Bangkok service from Mae Hong Son airport for the second day but there was one flight to Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Tourism Busi-ness Association adviser Somrit Haikham was afraid the haze would keep visitors away.

Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health chief Dr Rattha-wut Sukmee recommended people wore facemasks.

The Agriculture Ministry said yesterday cloud-seeding efforts were underway and rain was expected within a week. Rain should ease the haze.

Chaiya Prakan district chief Chokedee Amornwat said declaring the areas disaster zones guaranteed money to fight the crisis.