Haze from Indonesian forest fires moving up Thailand

Parts of southern Thailand are the latest areas to be affected by the haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia.

Thai environment officials said on Monday the level of pollution from Indonesia has risen sharply near the Malaysian border, and health authorities were opening hotlines to provide advice and issuing face masks.

The haze is now threatening  Krabi, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket and Ranong.

Director of the Regional Environment Office 16, Halem Jamaican Said, said the PSI level, the air pollutant index, in Phuket yesterday was measured at 80-90, but due to a change in wind direction, the PSI level could rise to 120, which exceeds safe levels.

Five other southern provinces — Songkhla, Phatthalung, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat — are blanketed in haze with unsafe PSI levels. Songkhla has a PSI level of 173, reported Thai PBS.

Children, the elderly, and allergy, asthma, lung and heart patients were advised to stay indoors and the general public was advised to wear face masks.