Thai South Affected By Indonesia’s Haze

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Southern Meteorological Centre (East Coast) in Songkhla province reported on Monday that the southwest monsoon covering the southern Thai region currently could bring with it haze from annual forest fires on the Sumatra Island in Indonesia.

The centre’s director Wanchai Sakudomchai, told journalists that satellite images showed there were some 163 hot spots on the Sumatra Island and the prevailing southwest monsoon wind appeared to have brought the smog to several southern Thai areas.

Songkhla, for instance, has been covered by thick haze in early morning over the past days, before gradually fading a few hours later, Thai News Agency (TNA)
reported.

Wanchai said he has instructed local officials to closely monitor satellite updates and timely warn people in areas at risk of possible impacts from either more hot spots in Indonesia or stronger southwest monsoon wind. – BERNAMA