Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed concerns about the unrelenting thick haze from Indonesia that has blanketed the southern region for the past several days.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Gen Prayut was worried about the health of southern residents as the haze, triggered by bush fires in Indonesia, keeps on coming, adding that Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Satun have been particularly badly affected.
"The prime minister instructed medical teams from the Public Health Ministry to visit residents and to educate people how to mitigate health risks from the smog," Maj Gen Sansern said. Gen Prayut also ordered rainmaking operations to reduce dust levels in the air. The premier urged people to take extra care when driving because of the poor visibility, he said.
The spokesman called on residents to forgo lengthy outdoor activities and, if necessary, wear face masks.
People, he said, should also refrain from any activities that may exacerbate the situation, such as burning rubbish or grass. They should drink water frequently and see the doctor immediately if they develop chest pains or have difficulty breathing.
Many southern areas were reported on Thursday to have levels of dust, known as PM10, or particulate matter with a size of less than 10 micrometres, above the safety limit of 120 microgrammes per cubic metre.
They include Songkhla's Hat Yai district with the PM10 reaching up to 250 mg per cubic metre.
Damrong Kraikruan, Thai ambassador to Malaysia, said Malaysia has been affected by haze for more than 18 years, but has been hardest hit this year. The embassy also urged Thais in Malaysia to closely monitor the haze situation at www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur.
Mr Damrong said he believed the haze problem will be discussed at the 13th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and Related Meetings to be held in Vietnam from Monday until next Saturday.
In Satun, the haze has blanketed the province for four consecutive days with a PM10 level exceeding the safety limit, forcing villagers to wear masks. Border areas and islands in the province are among the hardest hit. Locals are suffering eye irritation, breathing difficulties, sore throats and sneezing.
Community-based tourism has been affected. In tambon Tammalang of Muang district, where the locals demonstrate hawk feeding to tourists, the thick haze prevents the birds from flying.
Adul Chanabandit, head of the Ba Kan Yai local tourism community, said the dense smog has impeded water transport and ruined the beautiful scenery of tourist attractions.
In Surat Thani, the PM10 level rose to 182 μg/cu m³, causing poor visibility with scant sunlight. Local authorities believe the haze will intensify in the days to come.
In Phangnga, boat navigation has becomes more difficult at Ao Phangnga, though the PM10 tested on Wednesday evening was within the safety limit. Krabi has experienced a PM10 level of 124 μg/cu m³, exceeding the limit.
The haze caused delays to multiple flights en route to the southern region.
Seven flights from Don Mueang airport to the South were delayed for one or two hours in the morning, affecting about 1,000 passengers, said Phet Chan-charoen, general manager of Don Mueang airport.
The thick haze that has covered Hat Yai airport has reduced visibility to about 1km, the worst level since the problem began, according to the airport's general manager Wg Cdr Rittirong Gornmanee.
Three flights' landings were delayed at the airport Thursday morning, he said.
Wg Cdr Rittirong said the air force is prepared to assist pilots when taking off and landing.
Tinnagorn Choowong, executive vice president of the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, said the smog affected 11 flights to the South from 6am to 1 pm Thursday, with some rerouted and others delayed.
