• The newly established Operations Centre responsible for tackling the haze situation in Northern Thailand has declared the provinces of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son environmental disaster zones. As air quality in the area continues to deteriorate, a marked increase in the number of people with respiratory ailments has been noted.

  The haze is largely the result of an extended cold season this year that has caused low pressure to prevail over the area. In addition, the haze has settled in valleys, making it harder to dissipate. The situation has been exacerbated by the smoke and smog created by widespread man-made forest fires and farmers in the northern provinces of Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia employing the slash-and-burn technique to prepare land for the cultivation of crops during the dry season.

  In the attempt to end the environmental emergency as soon as possible, the Thai government has adopted an integrated approach to disaster management and emergency response. Provincial governors have been empowered and special budgets have been allocated. A ban on the intentional use of fires for field burning has been announced; penalties will be imposed on those who fail to comply. The Director-General of the Pollution Control Department will be issuing a communiqué to the neighbouring countries of Myanmar, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Cambodia, seeking regional cooperation in accordance with provisions outlined in the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (2002) for the prevention and mitigation of land and/or forest fires and haze.
  

• According to the most recent survey on air quality conducted in Chiang Mai, the level of dust particles smaller than 10 microns has risen to 148 micrograms per cubic metre. In Mae Hong Son province, the result was 340 micrograms per cubic metre. The highest acceptable level is 120 micrograms per cubic metre. Beyond this, the higher concentration of dust particles suspended in the air will have an adverse effects on public health. The situation in the northern districts of Mae Sarieng, Mae Lanoi and Soep Moei is particularly acute.
  

• The Chiang Mai Rainmaking Unit, established under the directives of His Majesty the King, has been successful in its cloud seeding efforts. A significant amount of rain has fallen. This has helped to alleviate the situation.
  
  
• The impact of air pollution on travel between Chiang Mai and adjacent provinces
  Nok Air has temporarily suspended its Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son flight operations. Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son flights offered by other airlines are still in operation, however, environmental conditions, particularly poor visibility, are causing significant delays. Road travel between affected provinces requires a high level of caution. Thick haze and smog on the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son routes has reduced visibility significantly.

  TAT Northern Office Region 1 has received reports of some cancellations as a result of the air pollution. However, with some headway being made in efforts to combat air pollution and improve air quality, tourism operators remain confident.

  ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (2002)
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International Public Relations Division, TAT
March 21, 2007

Update as of 16 March 2007
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