Burning issues

Burning issues

Summer does not come only with scorching heat. In the northern part of Thailand, summer is the season of forest fires.

Despite the alarming name, forest fires are a complex issue and dealing with it involves understanding the culture of farming among villagers, plus the severe climate change that makes the weather hotter and drier _ the main cause behind their increasing incidence.

Air pollution from fires in the forest will damage tourism and property development. But most of all, residents _ especially young kids and the elderly _ will be greatly affected.

Despite such severe repercussions, the public never knows when the forest fires will end. Thailand has been conducting forest fire control since 1980, and in 2003 ratified the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. Yet, the threat persists and only expands in frequency and the level of severity.

Personally, I wonder whether forest fires can be stopped, because of the practices of the farming culture, not to mention the hotter climate. At the same time, urbanisation has expanded in fire-prone areas. Some of my friends have moved north because Bangkok has become overcrowded and polluted.

These fires mean different things to different parts of the community. For urban dwellers and some of my friends who are relocating north, they are environmental crimes. For villagers and ecologists, they are part of a natural cycle to destroy dry leaves and vegetation. For farmers, they help clear vegetation and organic debris in the rainy season and prepare land for the new farming season.

It might be counterproductive to try to find out which stakeholders are more or most justified. But the fact is that forest fires have become part of life in northern towns. It damages budding tourism businesses and property development. The worst consequence is the pollution, which leads to severe health effects to every stakeholder.

Yet, there is better a way than whining and become distraught. Residents need to find a way to solve air pollution, or at least mitigate the impact. Of course, residents in air pollution zones need masks _ with appropriate filters to withstand dust and particles. Those who can afford it might have to invest in air purifiers.

I am a firm believer in the power of information and public engagement. And good air monitoring data can play a vital part in solving the problem. Beijing is a good example of how the power of knowledge and public pressure can be used to great effect.

Since industrialisation, pollution in China has been an ongoing problem, nowhere more so than the capital city during winter. For more than a decade, residents have been living with and getting used to smog during winter. Yet, the authorities decided to reveal air pollution data last year, after being pressured to do so.

At first, there was was alarm at the data that was revealed. But the authorities chose to educate the public about the pollution without watering down the shocking figures.

Television reported the news about the air quality, critics and experts gave public comments. The collective public engagement and pressure forced the government to act, and it came about because society as a whole knew the fine detail of health effects and economic losses the pollution caused.

A real assessment of pollution is different from news of people complaining. It has become normal for Beijing residents to access air pollution data online via their mobile phones. They have been made fully aware of the danger and health threats, and they in turn have acted aggressively to put more pressure on the authorities.

Subsequently, the authorities won praise for acting tough, imposing new regulations on heavy-industry factories around Beijing. Thanks to clear and transparent data, the city has edged closer to clear and healthy air.

The forest fires in northern Thailand have been in the news for years, and perhaps they will be years to come.

Interestingly enough, the plethora of news reports on air pollution from forest fires have not lead to any concrete long-term solutions, despite cities such as Chiang Mai relying on fresh air to attract tourists.

Personally, I think that there is a lack of public engagement with air quality monitoring. I wonder how much the tourism business would get hurt, or real estate development would suffer, if the worldwide news reported about air pollution and forest fires in northern Thailand. What would happen if the image of Chiang Mai was dominated by air pollution and people wearing masks?

I am sure nonchalant frogs will eventually feel the heat in the water boiling around them and the authorities might get tough. After all, I still have hope and belief in the power of information and public engagement.

Now, the forest fire season will end soon. So, my friends will have a chance to gasp for breaths of fresh air for another eight months.


Anchalee Kongrut is a feature writer for the Life section of the Bangkok Post.

Anchalee Kongrut

Editorial pages editor

Anchalee Kongrut is Bangkok Post's editorial pages editor.

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