Unhealthy smog levels continue to plague eight northern provinces, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha due to discuss the crisis with provincial governors in Chiang Mai on Tuesday.
Chayapol Thitisak, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said on Monday that hazardous levels of fine dust were measured in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao and Phrae provinces in the 24 hours to 5am.
Concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) were measured at 78-363 microgrammes per cubic metre of air during the period. The safe threshold is set at 50mcg.
Bad air was reported in:
- Chiang Mai province in tambon Chang Phueak, tambon Sriphum and tambon Suthep of Muang district and tambon Chang Koeng of Mae Chaem district;
- Chiang Rai in tambon Wiang in Muang district and tambon Wiang Phang Kham of Mae Sai district;
- Lampang in tambon Phra Bat of Muang district and tambon Sob Pat, tambon Ban Dong and tambon Mae Mo of Mae Mo district;
- Lamphun in tambon Ban Klang of Muang district;
- Mae Hong Son in tambon Jong Kham of Muang district;
- Nan in tambon Nai Wiang of Muang district and tambon Huai Kone of Chalerm Prakiat district;
- Phayao in tambon Ban Tom of Muang district; and
- Phrae in tambon Na Chak of Muang district.
The air quality index stood at 170-473 points there, against the safe threshold of 100.
Prime Minister Prayut is due to meet governors of northern provinces in Chiang Mai on Tuesday morning to discuss the pollution situation and measures to cope with it.