Maize growers blamed for Thai haze misery

BANGKOK: Business leaders in northern Thailand are urging agrobusiness companies to take responsibility for smoke haze blanketing the region, which is mainly caused by burning to clear land for corn cultivation, reports said on Sunday.
The haze, covering a wide area of northern Thailand, western Myanmar and northern Laos, has disrupted aviation and tourism, while thousands of residents have sought medical treatment for breathing problems and eye irritation.
Several flights were diverted in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai this week because of the smoke, and residents were warned to stay indoors or wear masks because of the health danger.
Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce deputy chairman Wittaya Krongsap said most of the pollution was caused by controlled fires at maize plantations during February and March to clear fields for the next planting.
The Nation newspaper quoted him saying the chamber would urge businesses that buy the maize for animal feed to take responsibility for the annual haze problem, which residents say is particularly bad this year.
Readings of small particulate matter were measured at more than 200 microgrammes per cubic metre throughout much of northern Thailand on Saturday, with readings of more than 120 microgrammes considered unsafe.
Deputy Health Minister Somsak Chunharas visited Chiang Mai on Saturday and instructed the provincial health office to distribute 200,000 face masks.
As many as 3,000 residents were reported to have visited health clinics in the province each day in recent weeks, most complaining of respiratory problems. – dpa