Outdoor burning ban announced as air quality worsens in Thailand

[mr mr]

14 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

Clear, blue skies and a lovely sea breeze here in Phuket. ???? 

 

any good restaurants you could recommend ? 

[John Drake]

Rest of Thailand to Thai Farmer: "Wow, another cool, refreshing day this morning! What are you going to do?"

 

Farmer to Rest of Thailand: "Slash and burn crops. Pile some old tires onto the flames, along with a lot of plastic. And make your life miserable."

[thequietman]

22 minutes ago, Antonymous said:

 

I'm with you, really I am. If only things were so simple.

 

Notwithstanding the effects of air pollution from neighbouring countries, which is severe in itself and seems to be beyond the influence of Thailand, there are also real considerations from the farmers' points of view that have to be taken into account. There are ways to get around this, but it is not so easy. I recommend to everyone that it is worth reading up on what it means to the farmers to stop burning. Regarding sugar cane particularly, the article below explains this well:

 

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thailand-sugarcane-burning/

When asking local farmers here where I live, why they burn when they are not going to grow anything else after their rice harvest, you get the answer - 'We have always done this.'   

 

They are all pyromaniacs. It's really that simple and so are they.  ????

[Tarteso]

2 minutes ago, thequietman said:

They are all pyromaniacs.

Let see next generation.????

[Sunderland]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Outdoor burning ban announced as air quality worsens

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Center for Air Pollution Mitigation has asked all provinces to ban outdoor burning from now until 23rd January, while the air quality index in Bangkok has reached the code-red unhealthy level in several areas.

 

The Pollution Control Department’s Director General Athapol Charoenchansa, confirmed the amount of PM 2.5 airborne particulate matter had reached the red unhealthy level in five precincts of the Bangkok metropolitan area.

 

The unhealthy air quality readings were recorded today by air quality sensors near Kanchanaphisek road in Bang Khun Thian district; in Khlong Sam Wa district; by Phet Kasem 81 or Ma Charoen road in Nong Khaem district; in Bang Sao Thong subdistrict of Samut Prakan, and Mahachai subdistrict of Samut Sakhon.

 

The Center for Air Pollution Mitigation has coordinated with all provinces to prevent outdoor burning activities on 20-23 January to reduce smoke emissions, as the low pressure system prevailing over Thailand at this time promotes the accumulation of airborne dust.

 

The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Varawut Silpa-archa said today the air quality crisis in Bangkok is not the result of the accumulation of PM 2.5 particles alone, but PM 10 and smoke from burning activities as well.

 

He has advised the general public to wear a mask at all times to protect themselves from the pollution and help with COVID-19 prevention, and to avoid going outdoors until the situation improves.

 

Schools, many of which are still closed due to the new wave of COVID-19 cases, may consider postponing their reopening date should the air quality remain poor, while farmers are encouraged to use their farm waste as fuel or sell it instead of burning it off, in an effort to reduce smoke emissions from burning.

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-01-22

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

As usual something has been lost in translation or the people who came up with the idea to try and ban burning for a day or two are just as stupid as the story suggests.

[MJCM]

555555 you got to be kidding me, yesterday at least 4 plots were burning near our house

 

You think the farmers give a ..... about this ban?  ???? Nope ????

Edited January 22, 2021 by MJCM

[jackdd]

Ban burning for 2 days, this will totally help, great idea.

[Jimbo2014]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Bangkok has reached the code-red unhealthy level in several areas.

 

LOL - Understatement of the year.  Visibility is barely 200 meters.  Its a toxic haze of chemicals and completely unlivable.  Of course a little action after the point.  A few days where the coordinated crop burning efforts are halted to enable people to take a deep breath before resuming the toxic practice again so that a few multinationals and fat cats in government can make some extra Baht.  LOS - Land of SMOG.  Had enough.

[cyril sneer]

I can guarantee there will be fires burning alongside highway 2 over the weekend

 

nothing will be said

[Jimbo2014]

Fun fact.  For the cost of one Chinese made sub, you can buy 4000 crop clearing tractors.  ????

[greenmonkey]

CRETINS.

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, thequietman said:

When asking local farmers here where I live, why they burn when they are not going to grow anything else after their rice harvest, you get the answer - 'We have always done this.'   

 

They are all pyromaniacs. It's really that simple and so are they.  ????

They are teaching their children...

[Misab]

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

since it is now the 22nd of Jan , i am sure that extra day will make a BIG difference

I believe, just a joke

[canopy]

2 hours ago, thequietman said:

When asking local farmers...you get the answer - 'We have always done this.'   

 

Hey did you know the reason they put up huge speakers at funerals is because...drumroll..."We have always done this". Yeah I mean it's just so deeply rooted in the culture that they even dig up 5000 year old loud speakers in archeological sites all the time. BS! Wake up, this is all modern! Burning became rampant with the arrival of chemical farming. Before that farmers grew organically and the field residue was not a waste product burned off to get rid of it, but a valuable resource to enrich the soil for the next crop. Water buffalo were prized because each time they defecated as they ploughed along  the farmer knew that would be a good spot in the upcoming crop. They released fish and crabs into the paddies to organically control pests and then had all these wonderful foods at harvest. The reason farmers burn is they enjoy it. People need to understand that before they try to solve this problem. Otherwise it will be like the sugarcane debacle where the farmers must sell green cane, but then they go right back to their fields and torch them as usual. Nothing is solved.

 

[cardinalblue]

Gov and business have no will to deal with the problem...

 

hope they get zero tourists....oh wait, COVID has that covered.... 

[Timwin]

Chiang Mai digital nomads and other expats must be really enjoying their quality of life now! ????

[10baht]

It is a problem that is for sure, but China's coal plants and Burma's burning are 90% of the problem

[kiteman9]

Teach your children well? Little kids get a full dose of a plastic burn pile right outside of there classroom in Thailand.

[garzhe]

"The Pollution Control Department’s Director General Athapol Charoenchansa, confirmed the amount of PM 2.5 airborne particulate matter had reached the red unhealthy level in five precincts of the Bangkok metropolitan area."

 

 

Not just Bangkok. The AQI in Bang Lamung, Pattaya was showing at 191 at 10 am this morning higher than anywhere in Bangkok.  The Air Visual App shows that most areas of Thailand are showing unhealthy levels.

[Ireland32]

Oh Bologna , They  not Care 

[10baht]

The gov't can solve the Thai end of the burning by providing shared farm equipment that would take the place of burning and plow old crops ( like mulch ) back into the soil or harvest crop stubs for animal feed stock.

[malibukid]

part of it is the new push to produce sugar cane for conversion into ethanol.  just more to burn now.  the farmers do not get enough money for their crops to make it economically viable to use mechanical means to plow under or remove the whats left of the crop.  so burning is cheap. this should be subsidized by the government.  the cost of one submarine would make a world of difference.

Edited January 22, 2021 by malibukid

[RichardColeman]

If they banned BBQ the pollution may half overnight

[dutchkev]

 

The real reason we are all suffering in South East Asia each year is down to virtually 1 Thai company , read the Greenpeace report 

 

Who is the biggest animal feed producer in the world ?

 

https://www.greenpeace.org/southeastasia/publication/4117/maize-land-use-change-and-transboundary-haze-pollution/

[jvs]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is not a seasonal inconvenience. This is a national emergency, and is getting worse each season. This administration has shown time and again, that they are not the slightest bit serious about the ban on burning. How many sugar cane farmers are being arrested, or facing significant fines for burning. They do it openly, with no fear of repercussions, all the while they are literally tearing down the quality of life for millions, nationwide. Callous, unwilling to do what is right for the people, taking short cuts, and unwilling to put in the hard work of clearing the fields. 

 

Here are my suggestions, if these incompetents want to be taken seriously. 

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.
2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.
3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land.
The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century.

Then they can move on to tackle the sale of diesel vehicles, and the government's enthusiastic support of such. It is inane in this day and age. Most nations are moving away from diesel for good reasons. When they are not well maintained, they foul the air, with large, nasty particles. And who properly maintains their vehicle here?

There are easier ways to stop it.Post a (non corrupt) government worker at each factory,burnt crop arrives,send it back.Job done.

I realize there is a very big problem with my plan but it sounds nice doesn't it?

Edited January 22, 2021 by jvs

[natway09]

Asking them???????

Don't ask, TELL them

[jvs]

5 minutes ago, natway09 said:

Asking them???????

Don't ask, TELL them

You can always tell a Thai but you can't tell them much.

[spidermike007]

4 hours ago, Antonymous said:

 

I'm with you, really I am. If only things were so simple.

 

Notwithstanding the effects of air pollution from neighbouring countries, which is severe in itself and seems to be beyond the influence of Thailand, there are also real considerations from the farmers' points of view that have to be taken into account. There are ways to get around this, but it is not so easy. I recommend to everyone that it is worth reading up on what it means to the farmers to stop burning. Regarding sugar cane particularly, the article below explains this well:

 

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thailand-sugarcane-burning/

All the more reason for the government to offer incentives, for the farmers to switch crops. This is 2021. Rice and sugar worked in previous centuries. Now, they do not make any sense. Too labor intensive, too much degradation of the land, water, air, and resources. Let's get with the times. Let us move forward. 

 

I know I am dreaming. It takes a progressive administration to do these kinds of things, and Prayuth and his gang are as regressive as they come. The youth must prevail. At the risk of a 15 year jail sentence, as they are trying to impose of the man who is the only hope this nation has in Thanathorn, the dinosaurs must be forced to the side, and the youth must figure out a way to lead this nation forward. Otherwise, it is nothing but darkness, that will prevail.

[spidermike007]

18 minutes ago, jvs said:

There are easier ways to stop it.Post a (non corrupt) government worker at each factory,burnt crop arrives,send it back.Job done.

I realize there is a very big problem with my plan but it sounds nice doesn't it?

See the above post please. the issue is, they do not want to do anything. They do not want to improve. This heinous army would sacrifice the health and welfare of the nation, and its people, for a few bucks. 

[Tarteso]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

ban outdoor burning from now until 23rd January,

You can set yours land on fire again on the 24th. Thais have the rest of the smog season until they finish definitively destroying TOURISM.