Thick Smog Engulfs Chiang Mai - Flights Cancelled !

Thai Airway International has postponed flights on Thursday from Chiang Mai to Maehongson province in the north of Thailand due to the poor vision condition after forest fire generated thick smog in the region.

It has remained uncertain when the flights will be resumed, the website by Thai-language newspaper Matichon reported.

The poor vision condition has affected the air travel from Wednesday when Thai Airway canceled three flights for Chiang Mai to Maehongson province, Peerat Ruengsuksai, chief of Maehongson's meteorological office said.

Currently, about 1,100 acres of forests in Maehongson have been destroyed by the forest fire, resulting in the thick smog problem in Maehongson, Pornchai Tonsaipech director of Maehongson's natural resources and environment office said.

The level of dust particles, technically called particulate matter (PM-10) is found to exceed acceptable limits. The PM-10 is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances. It was measured at 245.3 micrograms per cubic meter against a health standard of 120 micrograms per cubic meter.

Several thousands of people in Maehongson suffered from the respiratory system diseases, said Sumet Ongwandee, medical doctor of Maehongson province.

Masks were distributed to local people at public health offices across Maehongson.

Source: Criengligish.com