THE government of Thailand has ordered all provinces nationwide to step up efforts in the fight against forest fires and pollution.
Thailand’s Ministry of Interior launched guidelines to strengthen efforts against forest fires and pollution.
The purpose of the four-step guideline is to help control the level of particulate matter or PM2.5 in the atmosphere.
Under the first step, all provincial units tasked with fire control must try to keep the dust level fewer than 50 microns.
In the event the PM2.5 level ranges from 51 to 75 microns, the provincial governors must take charge of directing efforts and ensuring the cooperation of all relevant units.
If it exceeds 76 and 100 microns, the governor is empowered to order the suspension of any activities, which cause air pollution, and in case it goes beyond 100 microns, the national environment committee must call an urgent meeting to resolve the problem.
Note, nearly 200,000 people in Thailand fell ill within the past two weeks due to the high levels of air pollution.
