Thick haze has affected the navigation of small fishing trawlers and taxi boats in the south and caused health concerns on land.

"The problem comes from forest fires in Indonesia," the Songkhla-based office of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said yesterday.

The fires caused smoke that was blanketing Satun, Phang Nga and Phuket provinces, the office said.

"Air-quality tests show the amount of small particulate matter up to 10 microns in diameter was up to 126 in Phuket," it said.

A PM10 reading of more than 120 micrograms per cubic metre is considered unsafe.

Phuket, a popular tourist destination, was blanketed by haze as of press time yesterday, although its airport has operated normally so far. Phuket Airport handles millions of visitors each year.

Residents in the affected provinces have been advised to avoid outdoor activities, to keep abreast of official news and to see a doctor immediately if any health condition develops.

Dr Witoon Luangdilok, the public health chief of Trang province, said the haze had continued for two days. "A number of people have reported eye and nasal irritation," Witoon said.

He said people could get free facial masks from health promotion hospitals in their home-towns.

"Wear it when you go outdoors for health reasons," he said.

The most at risk, Witoon said, were young children, the elderly and people with asthma or heart disease.

Boats face reduced visibility

In neighbouring Satun, fishing-trawler operators have been advised to navigate carefully because of reduced visibility.

"We are affected because our province is close to Indonesia," Satun Governor Dejrat Simsiri said. He expects the haze to |evaporate soon with frequent rain and a wind-direction change.

In Krabi, a local marine office reported that the visibility at sea had been reduced to about 2 kilometres.

"This means boat drivers must be more careful," the office's chief Boonchao Tangsiripaisan said.

Popular

Early school a new burden

Bali flights canceled after Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano eruption

Mt Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s alert status raised to highest level