Rainfall eases Indonesian wildfire-triggered haze in south Thailand

Rainfall has helped improve the air quality in Thailand's southern provinces, which were shrouded with haze resulting from Indonesian forest fires, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said Sunday.

Following rains brought by northeasterly wind, the levels of particulate matter up to 10 micrometers (PM10) in the southern part dropped to 58-87 micrograms per cubic meter, within the safety limit of 120, DDPM Director-General Chatchai Promlert said.

The PM10 readings in the provinces of Songkhla, Phuket, Phang Nga, Yala and Satun, Pattani and Narathiwat were recorded at 87, 81, 77, 61, 60, 59, and 58 micrograms per cubic meter respectively, DDPM figures showed.

Songkhla's Hat Yai district, which used to be worst hit by the haze, has started to see better air, water and road visibility, thus allowing flights to operate normally, according to media reports. Tourism is also picking up.

Relevant provincial agencies have been instructed to step up efforts to mitigate the haze and residents in haze-affected areas advised to refrain from outdoor activities and wear masks when staying outside, Chatchai said.